U.S. Strikes More Iranian Oil Tankers as Tit-for-Tat Warfare Escalates in the Gulf

This marks the second major wave of American strikes in under a week, as the simmering conflict in the Strait of Hormuz shows no signs of de-escalation , .

The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed that the strikes on Tuesday targeted the Iranian vessels M/T Kaviz, M/T Charminar, M/T Horizon 1, and M/T Riesco in the Gulf of Oman, as well as the M/T Derya near Kharg Island , . American forces directed the crews to abandon ship before the vessels were struck and rendered inoperable , .

"In response to Iran's most recent failed attacks, CENTCOM destroyed the IRGC crude oil carriers... American forces directed the crews to abandon ship before the vessels were struck and rendered inoperable." 

A Week of Escalation

The latest strikes come just days after the U.S. destroyed three other Iranian oil tankers on September 5 , . In that earlier round, CENTCOM permanently disabled the M/T Downy off the coast of Kharg Island and the M/T Stark 1 near Jask, and completely destroyed the unladen M/T Kylo in the Gulf of Oman , .

In a clear warning to Tehran, CENTCOM Commander Admiral Brad Cooper stated after the initial strikes: "If you shoot at two of our ships, we will impose an even higher economic cost — taking out three of yours. We will not hesitate to defend American forces, and if necessary, destroy Iran's limited and exposed oil fleet." , 

The Pentagon has justified the attacks by linking the vessels to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), describing them as part of a "multibillion-dollar shadow network that funds the IRGC and its regional proxies" , .

Iran Vows Tougher Reprisals

Iran has swiftly retaliated and threatened further escalation. Following the initial U.S. strikes on September 5, Iran’s state broadcaster reported that the IRGC targeted three oil tankers and three U.S.-affiliated vessels . Additionally, Iran has launched ballistic missiles toward U.S. targets in Jordan, which were reportedly intercepted by Jordanian air defenses .

The head of Iran’s Khatam-al Anbiya central military command has warned that if the U.S. continues its attacks, Tehran’s retaliation against U.S. warships would be "more severe than before, and there is a possibility of their expansion." 

On Tuesday, Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Navy warned crews of oil tankers near ports in Kuwait and Bahrain to immediately leave their vessels, suggesting they could be targeted in retaliation for U.S. attacks .