US military announces: 5 Iranian crude oil tankers struck

The United States Central Command (CENTCOM) announced that 5 Iranian crude oil tankers were struck and rendered inoperable. The statement noted that the strikes were carried out in response to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps' attempts to target a US warship with ballistic missiles twice in the last two days.

CENTCOM reported that the US warship survived the aforementioned attack attempts, continues its patrol duties in regional waters, and that no US personnel were harmed.

According to the statement, US forces targeted the crude oil tankers "M/T Kaviz", "M/T Charminar", "M/T Horizon 1", and "M/T Riesco" in the Gulf of Oman, and the "M/T Derya" tanker near Kharg Island on September 8. CENTCOM noted that the crews were instructed to abandon the ships before the tankers were struck.

The US military alleged that the targeted tankers were part of a multi-billion dollar network that finances the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and its proxy elements in the region. The CENTCOM statement included the phrase, "Iran has no means to protect these ships."

The command also released footage of the strikes. In the footage, smoke and flames were seen rising from some of the tankers. CENTCOM had previously announced that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps attempted to attack a US aircraft carrier and a guided-missile destroyer on September 5, and that 3 Iranian crude oil tankers were struck in retaliation.

News Source: 12punto