The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed on September 5, 2026, that U.S. forces had targeted three Iranian crude oil tankers.
The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed on September 5, 2026, that U.S. forces had targeted three Iranian crude oil tankers. According to CENTCOM, the operation was carried out after Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) launched ballistic missiles at two U.S. naval warships. U.S. officials said the three tankers were linked to a “shadow network” allegedly used to provide financial support to the IRGC and its regional allies. One of the tankers was targeted near Kharg Island, a key hub for Iran’s oil export infrastructure. The U.S. military said no American personnel were injured. Iranian sources reported that the crews of the affected tankers were also evacuated. The development marks a significant new military and economic escalation in the ongoing tensions between the United States and Iran, particularly amid growing concerns over the Strait of Hormuz.
