According to U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), a U.S. aircraft carrier and guided-missile destroyer successfully evaded multiple unprovoked Iranian attacks. In response, U.S. forces permanently disabled the Iranian Major Guard Corps (IRGC) crude oil carriers M/T Downy off the coast of Kharg Island and M/T Stark 1 near Jask. Also, an unladen crude tanker called the M/T Kylo was completely destroyed after being hit multiple times to render it inoperable.

Escalating Tensions in the Persian Gulf

Outside the Persian Gulf, the U.S. military action is part of a broader pattern of escalation. According to the CENTCOM statement, the message to the IRGC is clear: If they shoot at two U.S. ships, the U.S. will impose an even higher economic cost by taking out three of theirs. Adm. Brad Cooper, the CENTCOM commander, emphasized this point.

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth wrote on X that if Iran shoots at U.S. ships, the U.S. will destroy their oil tankers. He added that the U.S. could strike Iran’s oil tanker fleet in the Middle East or the Indo-Pacific region, noting that Iran’s oil tanker fleet is defenseless—lacking a navy or air force.

Iranian Reactions and Regional Impact

Iran’s state news agency IRNA reported the U.S. statement, adding that Iranian officials emphasized they would respond strongly to any attack; However, there has been no official statement from Iranian leadership. Earlier on Saturday, Iranian news agencies reported that a tanker came under missile attack by U.S. forces near Kharg Island, with four projectiles fired at the ship. No casualties were reported, according to Tasnim.

Audio confirmed by CNN showed that a U.S. military aircraft issued warnings to the ship via an emergency channel, while In one warning, an American-accented voice said: “Motor Tanker STARK 1, this is the United States military aircraft. I am preparing to fire at your stern.”

Regional Concerns and Market Implications

Meanwhile, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) condemned an attack on two of its state-owned Adnoc ships in the Strait of Hormuz, which it holds Iran responsible for. The UAE’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated the attack constituted a violation of UN Security Council Resolution 2817, which reaffirms the freedom of navigation. The UAE called such attacks on commercial shipping in the strait “acts of piracy” by the Iranian Major Guards and a direct threat to global energy security.

The Strait of Hormuz, a vital shipping lane for global trade, had already been effectively blocked due to the ongoing conflict between the U.S. and Iran. This has led to higher prices for oil, gas, and fertilizers worldwide. A 60-day ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran is set to expire this Saturday.

U.S. military forces recently escorted 40 commercial vessels carrying roughly 18 million barrels of oil through the Strait of Hormuz. According to two U.S. officials, forces intercepted a cruise missile and repelled multiple drone attacks during the operation. This successful defense helped stabilize market sentiment, slightly easing global crude prices.