U.S. military strikes three Iranian oil tankers funding regional proxies

US forces struck three Iranian oil tankers on Saturday after the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps fired ballistic missiles at a U.S. aircraft carrier and a guided‑missile destroyer in the Gulf of Oman. The U.S. Central Command said the warships evaded the attacks and that no U.S. personnel were hurt. CENTCOM called the strikes a response to the missile salvo, saying it aimed to hit vessels that finance the IRGC’s regional proxy network.

The three tankers were hit near Iran’s Kharg island in the Gulf of Oman. U.S. officials say two crude‑oil carriers were disabled and a third destroyed. Admiral Brad Cooper warned that if Iran shoots at U.S. ships, the U.S. will inflict greater economic damage by taking out Iranian oil vessels. CENTCOM did not confirm whether any crew members were injured in the attacks. The U.S. said the strikes targeted a multibillion‑dollar network that funds Iran’s militias.

The incident comes after a month of calm that ended when U.S. and Iranian forces exchanged attacks. The conflict has already killed 18 U.S. service members and pushed global energy prices higher. President Donald Trump called the war a “small potatoes” on a television address, but the latest strikes show a different U.S. posture. The U.S. and Israel began a six‑month war that has collapsed after negotiations failed.

The U.S. aims to pressure Iran economically while protecting its naval forces. By disabling Iranian oil tankers, the U.S. seeks to cut a key revenue stream for the IRGC and its proxy groups. The strikes may harden Iranian resolve and could lead to further escalation. The U.S. remains prepared to defend its forces and to impose higher economic costs on Iran if it continues to target U.S. warships.