US military says it destroyed three Iranian oil tankers

The United States Central Command announced it has permanently disabled three Iranian oil tankers operated by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), marking a significant naval operation in the Persian Gulf. The vessels targeted were the M/T Downy, positioned off Kharg Island, and the M/T Stark 1 near Jask, according to the US military statement. A third tanker was also reportedly damaged in the operations.

The action represents an escalation in maritime tensions within the strategically vital Persian Gulf, through which a significant portion of global oil supplies transit. The targeting of Iran's oil transport infrastructure underscores the broader geopolitical frictions affecting regional shipping lanes and energy markets.

The IRGC operates a substantial fleet of crude oil carriers that service Iran's petrochemical industry and support the nation's oil export operations. The reported destruction of these vessels could impact Iran's capacity to transport crude oil, with potential implications for regional energy supplies and international markets.

The operation comes amid ongoing tensions in the Gulf region, where competing strategic interests and maritime disputes have created a volatile security environment. The incident underscores the risks to commercial shipping and energy infrastructure in one of the world's most critical maritime chokepoints.