US strikes five Iranian oil tankers off coast
US Central Command confirmed strikes on five vessels linked to the IRGC following failed missile attacks on a US warship.
The United States military struck five Iranian oil tankers on Tuesday. US Central Command stated the action followed two ballistic missile attacks by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps on a US Navy warship. The US warship evaded the missiles and continued its patrol. No American personnel were harmed.
CENTCOM directed the crews of the targeted vessels to abandon ship before the strikes. The ships were identified as the M/T Kaviz, M/T Charminar, M/T Horizon 1, M/T Riesco, and M/T Derya. These vessels were linked to the IRGC. CENTCOM described the fleet as part of a network funding the guard and its proxies.
Strikes target key export hubs
Iranian media reported explosions near the port of Jask. Explosions were also heard on Kharg Island. Both locations are critical for Iran's oil exports. The M/T Derya was hit near Kharg Island in the Strait of Hormuz. The other four ships were attacked in the Gulf of Oman. Hellenic Shipping News reports that no immediate casualties were confirmed.
Iran fires missiles at Jordan
Iranian state media reported a retaliatory missile attack on US targets in Jordan. The Jordanian army intercepted eighteen of the twenty ballistic missiles. Two missiles fell in unpopulated areas. Jordan hosts an American military facility. An US official stated that all personnel were accounted for.
US denies Iranian attack claims
The IRGC claimed it targeted two US ships and eight oil tankers. It also claimed hits on ten other vessels in the Strait of Hormuz. CENTCOM dismissed these claims as completely false. The US military said all Iranian attacks on regional vessels failed. The IRGC warned tankers in Bahrain and Kuwait to leave their vessels.
