US strikes three Iran-linked oil tankers after reporting attacks on US warships

What happened

US Central Command (Centcom) released footage showing strikes by US forces on three oil tankers described as Iran-linked. Centcom said two of the vessels were ‘‘permanently disabled’’, including one near Kharg Island, and that a third was ‘‘completely destroyed’’ in the Gulf of Oman.

Iranian state media Irib confirmed the strikes and reported that Tehran had launched attacks on three US-affiliated vessels in response, in addition to striking three oil tankers that it said were travelling an ‘‘unauthorised’’ route through the Strait of Hormuz. Irib said there were no casualties in the attack on the tanker near Kharg Island and that the vessel’s cooling system extinguished the fire within an hour.

Irib further reported that the crews aboard the two tankers attacked in the Gulf of Oman were taken to shore in lifeboats; one of those tankers was empty and the other was carrying oil. Irib later cited the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as saying it had retaliated against six ships in the region — three oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz and three vessels ‘‘affiliated’’ with the US in other areas.

Why this is happening

Centcom said US ships ‘‘successfully evaded’’ multiple attacks from the IRGC earlier in the day, which were allegedly targeting a US aircraft carrier and a guided-missile destroyer. Centcom added that no American troops were harmed in those incidents.

In its statement, Centcom characterised the three Iranian-linked tankers as part of a ‘‘multi-billion-dollar shadow network that funds the IRGC and its regional proxies’’. On the other side, Iranian media and the IRGC say their actions were retaliatory, including strikes on vessels they consider to be using unauthorised routes through the Strait of Hormuz.

The exchanges come alongside public statements by US officials. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth wrote on social media that ‘‘if Iran shoots at US ships, we will destroy (and sink) their oil tankers’’, language that reflects part of the recent US posture toward Iranian-linked vessels.

How this will affect

The strikes involve areas central to Iran’s oil exports. Kharg Island hosts Iran’s main export terminal; the report notes that some 90% of the country’s crude oil flows through the island via pipelines from the mainland. Damage or disruption in that area could therefore affect Iran’s export capacity.

The Strait of Hormuz has been described in the reporting as effectively closed since the war began in February, and it historically carried about 20% of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas supplies. Continued attacks and counterattacks increase the risk to shipping routes and have already contributed to higher energy prices globally.

The report cites an example of market effects: it notes that ‘‘on Friday’’ the average price for one gallon of diesel in the US reached $5.85, up from an average of $3.71 a year earlier. That underlines potential domestic economic and political ramifications in countries affected by rising fuel costs.

What next

The strikes occurred nearly a week after exchanges of attacks resumed between the US and Iran following a period of relative calm. The US had resumed offensives the previous Sunday, striking two rocket launchers it said were being prepared for use to lay naval mines in the Strait of Hormuz.

A 60-day ceasefire between the US and Iran formally expired last month, and there is little sign in the reporting of an imminent diplomatic settlement. After the ceasefire ended, President Donald Trump said the US would impose tougher economic measures against Iran and any country that helps or does business with it.

At present, publicly available accounts provide details of the strikes and immediate reactions but do not offer a complete, independently verified list of the vessels affected or comprehensive assessments of damage from neutral observers. Further reporting from Centcom, the IRGC and independent monitors will be required to determine the full operational and economic impact on navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.