WASHINGTON (MNN); US Central Command (Centcom) has claimed that American forces destroyed or disabled three Iranian crude oil tankers after alleging that Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) launched ballistic missiles towards two US warships.
In a statement posted on X, Centcom said an American aircraft carrier and a guided-missile destroyer successfully avoided what it described as multiple “unprovoked” Iranian attacks. It said no American personnel were harmed.
Centcom claimed that following the alleged missile attacks, US forces took action against three oil tankers said to be linked to the IRGC.
According to the US military command, the crude oil carrier M/T Downy, located off Kharg Island, and M/T Stark 1, near Jask, were permanently disabled.
Centcom also said American forces destroyed the unladen crude oil tanker M/T Kylo, also known as Noxen, in the Gulf of Oman.
The US military said the vessel was struck at several critical locations after its crew had been instructed to abandon the ship, leaving it inoperable.
Centcom alleged that the three tankers were part of a multibillion-dollar “shadow network” used to finance the IRGC.
Centcom chief Admiral Brad Cooper warned that Washington would impose what he described as a higher economic cost on Iran if American warships came under attack.
He said the US would defend its forces and could take further action against Iran’s oil tanker fleet if necessary.
US War Secretary Pete Hegseth also said that Iran’s oil tanker fleet was vulnerable to American military action.
In a post on X, he warned that if Iran fired on US ships, Washington would respond by targeting Iranian oil tankers.
Hegseth said US submarines, warships and aircraft had the capability to strike Iranian vessels across areas covered by the Central Command and Pacific Command.
Iran Reports Tanker Strike Near Kharg Island
Meanwhile, Iranian media reported that a tanker near the key oil export hub of Kharg Island had been struck by US missiles.
Iran’s semi-official Tasnim news agency, cited by Reuters, said a tanker was hit by four US missiles near the Kharg Island anchorage.
Iranian state broadcaster IRIB reported that the crew of two oil tankers targeted by the United States had safely reached the shore using lifeboats.
Iranian authorities have not independently confirmed all details of the US military’s account.
Iran Says It Is Preparing for Economic War
Iranian Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref said the country had overcome various threats against its sovereignty and had thwarted what he described as military, economic, social and political plots.
According to Iranian state broadcaster Press TV, Aref said Tehran had repeatedly resisted attempts by a US-led “system of domination” to undermine the Islamic Republic.
He said Iran’s long-term strategy focused on developing advanced technologies to meet the country’s needs and support regional development.
Aref added that Iran was also preparing to confront what he described as an “economic war”.
Iranian Army Highlights AI and Human Resources
Meanwhile, Deputy Coordinator of the Iranian Army Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari said modern warfare depended heavily on willpower, endurance and technological capability.
He said Iran was confronting an adversary equipped with advanced military technology and a broad range of modern equipment.
Iran’s state news agency IRNA also reported that the Iranian Army had introduced a comprehensive recruitment, selection and employment system developed with the assistance of artificial intelligence.
According to IRNA, the AI-based system will be available across Army units and will help identify, assess and recruit talented candidates, including through online testing.
Sayyari said human resources remained the most important asset of any organisation and played a central role in strengthening the Army’s combat capabilities.
IRGC Denies Reports of Attacks on Isfahan Nuclear Sites
Separately, the IRGC’s Imam Sahib al-Zaman Corps rejected reports circulating on social media alleging that the United States or Israel had attacked nuclear centres and facilities in Iran’s Isfahan province.
In a statement carried by IRNA, the Corps described the reports as completely false.
It said no attack by the United States or Israel had taken place against nuclear facilities in Isfahan.
The IRGC warned that the spread of misinformation during sensitive circumstances could create public anxiety and disturb psychological calm.
