US hits five Iranian oil tankers after attack on Navy ships

The United States has destroyed five Iranian oil carriers on Tuesday after the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) targeted its navy warship with ballistic missiles "twice over the past two days".

In a statement shared on social media platform X, the US Central Command (CENTCOM) said the warship evaded the Iranian attacks, with no personnel injured. 

It further noted that four IRGC crude oil tankers - M/T Kaviz, M/T Charminar, M/T Horizon 1, and M/T Riesco -  were destroyed in the Gulf of Oman, while the fifth carrier, M/T Derya  was struck near Kharg Island. 

"Iran has used the tankers as part of a multibillion-dollar shadow network that funds the IRGC and its regional proxies. Iran has no means by which to defend these vessels," the CENTCOM added. 

Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned Iran on Tuesday that the US would continue to strike Iranian oil tankers in retaliation for attempted attacks on its warships.

"Iran continues to try to hit US naval ships, and for every time they do that or try to do that, they're going to lose tankers," Rubio told reporters during a visit to Colombia.

CENTCOM forces destroyed five Iranian crude oil carriers, Sept. 8, after the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) targeted a U.S. Navy warship with ballistic missiles twice over the past two days. The U.S. warship successfully evaded the attempted Iranian attacks and… pic.twitter.com/Gi8a2tloN1

— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) September 8, 2026