U.S. Central Command stated on Tuesday that American forces destroyed five Iranian crude oil tankers. Four vessels were struck in the Gulf of Oman and one near Kharg Island.

Central Command said the action followed two attempted ballistic missile attacks by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps on a U.S. Navy warship over the previous two days. The warship was not hit and continued patrols. No American personnel were harmed. Crews on the tankers were directed to abandon ship before the vessels were struck and rendered inoperable. The tankers were identified as M/T Kaviz, M/T Charminar, M/T Horizon 1, M/T Riesco, and M/T Derya. Central Command described the vessels as part of a network that funds the IRGC. One tanker later sank.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said it launched missile strikes toward a U.S. base at Al Azraq in Jordan. Jordanian authorities reported intercepting 18 of 20 ballistic missiles, with two falling in unpopulated areas and no casualties recorded. The IRGC also claimed attacks on ships in the Strait of Hormuz area.

Oil prices rose following the reports, with Brent crude approaching or reaching $100 per barrel in early trading. The exchanges continued a recent pattern of tit-for-tat actions in the region.

SOURCES
New York Times: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/09/08/world/middleeast/us-strikes-iran-tankers.html

NPR: https://www.npr.org/2026/09/09/nx-s1-5962633/u-s-military-destroys-5-iranian-oil-tankers-as-back-and-forth-strikes-continue

Al Jazeera: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/9/9/us-destroys-five-iranian-tankers-iran-retaliates-with-attacks-on-jordan-base