Washington says the strikes came after Iranian missiles targeted two US Navy vessels, while Tehran has threatened a stronger response to further attacks on its ships.
US Hits Three Oil Tankers
The United States has sharply escalated its confrontation with Iran after American forces struck three Iranian oil tankers following what Washington said were ballistic-missile attacks on two US Navy ships.
US Central Command (CENTCOM) said an American aircraft carrier and a guided-missile destroyer successfully evaded multiple Iranian attacks in the region. No US personnel were injured in the incident.
The American strikes targeted tankers near Kharg Island, Jask and in the Gulf of Oman. CENTCOM said two vessels were permanently disabled, while a third, the unladen M/T Kylo, was destroyed.
The latest exchange marks another major escalation in the US-Iran conflict and raises fresh concerns over the safety of commercial shipping and global energy supplies.
Hegseth Delivers Warning
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth issued a direct warning to Tehran after the strikes.
In a post on X, Hegseth said the US would destroy and sink Iranian oil tankers if Iran continued attacking American naval vessels.
“It’s simple: if Iran shoots at US ships, we will destroy (and sink) their oil tankers,” Hegseth said, adding that Iran only needed to avoid firing at US Navy ships.
Hegseth also claimed that Iran's tanker fleet was vulnerable and warned that American aircraft, ships and submarines could target it.
The statement signals that Washington is prepared to directly impose economic costs on Iran's oil trade in response to attacks against US military assets.
CENTCOM Issues Retaliation Threat
The Pentagon's warning followed an equally strong message from CENTCOM Commander Admiral Brad Cooper.
Cooper said the US response was intended to make clear that attacks on American vessels would result in a greater economic cost for Iran.
“If you shoot at two of our ships, we will impose an even higher economic cost — taking out three of yours,” Cooper said.
CENTCOM said the three targeted tankers were linked to what it described as a multibillion-dollar Iranian “shadow network” that helps finance the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and its regional proxies.
The US has increasingly targeted Iran's oil infrastructure and shipping network as part of its broader pressure campaign against Tehran.
Iran Threatens Stronger Response
Iran has rejected the US strikes and threatened to intensify attacks on American military vessels.
Iranian military officials warned that continued attacks on Iranian shipping or what Tehran describes as a naval blockade could result in more severe strikes against US forces in the region.
Iran's Foreign Ministry also condemned the attacks, describing them as a violation of international law and warning of consequences for continued US action against Iranian shipping.
The competing warnings have raised the possibility of another cycle of military retaliation, particularly around the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz.
Kharg Island Becomes Flashpoint
One of the American strikes occurred near Kharg Island, Iran's most important oil-export hub.
Iranian state media reported that a tanker near the island was hit by US missiles and that its crew was evacuated. Kharg Island has repeatedly emerged as a strategic target because of its central role in Iran's oil exports.
The island's importance makes any further military action in the area particularly sensitive for global energy markets.
The US has previously warned that it could target Iranian oil infrastructure as part of its campaign to restrict Tehran's ability to generate revenue from crude exports.
Strait Of Hormuz At Risk
The latest confrontation is also threatening one of the world's most important energy routes.
The Strait of Hormuz connects the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and is a critical passage for global oil and gas shipments. Before the current conflict, roughly one-fifth of the world's oil supply moved through the waterway.
Shipping traffic has fallen sharply amid the conflict and growing security risks.
Any further disruption could push oil prices higher and increase transportation and energy costs across global markets. Brent crude recently rose to around $96 a barrel as concerns over supply disruptions intensified.
For countries heavily dependent on imported energy, prolonged instability around Hormuz could have wider economic consequences.
What Happens Next
The immediate concern is whether the latest US strikes trigger another round of Iranian attacks.
Tehran has already threatened stronger military action, while Washington has signalled that attacks on its naval forces will bring further retaliation. That leaves limited room for de-escalation unless both sides step back from the current cycle.
The confrontation is also unfolding against the backdrop of a wider conflict that began earlier this year and has already disrupted energy markets and regional security.
For now, the message from Washington is clear: attacks on US Navy vessels will bring economic and military retaliation. Iran, meanwhile, has warned that continued pressure on its shipping network could produce a harsher response.
With commercial vessels already facing growing risks in the Gulf, the next few days could determine whether the latest exchange remains a limited confrontation or develops into a broader regional crisis.
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