US forces have said that they struck three Iranian crude oil tankers after IRGC launched ballistic missiles at two US Navy warships in regional waters.

 

A statement by US CENTCOM said they disabled tanker Downy near Kharg Island, tanker Stark 1 near Jask and destroyed unladen tanker Kylo (also known as the Noxen), in the Gulf of Oman after directing its crew to abandon ship. The CENTCOM called the three Iranian crude oil tankers a part of a shadow network that funds the IRGC and its regional proxies.

 

Earlier today, Iranian media had reported that an Iranian tanker was hit by US missiles near Kharg island. They had also reported explosions near the highly strategic island, raising fears of fresh escalation.

 

These developments come just a few days after hostilities resumed in the region post a relative calm of about one month. Earlier this week, US President Donald Trump had shared a social media video suggesting Kharg Island being “blown to smitherness”. Iran had said that they will respond strongly to any threat to Kharg island.

 

Kharg island is an extremely important terminal for Iran, accounting for a majority of Iran’s oil exports before the trade disruption due to the current conflict. The recent attacks have thus raised fears of fresh escalation in the conflict.