Archive · 6 Sep 2026
US Strikes Iranian Tankers After Navy Ships Targeted
The United States says Iranian forces fired missiles toward two American Navy ships.
After that, US forces attacked three Iranian oil tankers.
The tankers were called the M/T Downy, M/T Stark 1, and M/T Kylo.
US officials said the ships were disabled or destroyed, and no American personnel were hurt.
Pete Hegseth warned that more Iranian tankers could be sunk if Iran attacks US ships again.
He said Iran’s tankers are difficult to protect at sea.
Iran rejected the US actions and warned that it could increase attacks on American military vessels.
The exchange has raised tensions around important shipping routes.
US Central Command said it struck three Iranian oil tankers after IRGC forces fired ballistic missiles toward two US Navy ships.
The vessels were identified as the M/T Downy, M/T Stark 1, and unladen M/T Kylo.
CENTCOM said the tankers were disabled or destroyed, while reporting no injuries to US personnel.
Pete Hegseth warned that the US would destroy and sink more Iranian tankers if Iran attacked US Navy ships.
Iran condemned US interference and warned it would intensify attacks on American vessels if Washington continued interfering with Iranian shipping.
- Who
- US Central Command, US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, CENTCOM commander Admiral Brad Cooper, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, and Iran’s government.
- What
- US forces struck three Iranian oil tankers after reported ballistic-missile attacks on two US Navy ships; Hegseth then threatened to sink more Iranian tankers after future attacks.
- When
- The strikes and warnings were reported on Saturday, September 5, 2026; the article was published on September 6, 2026.
- Where
- The reported incidents occurred in regional waters, including near Kharg Island, near Jask, and in the Gulf of Oman.
- Why
- The United States said the strikes responded to attacks on its naval vessels, while Iran said Washington was interfering with Iranian shipping and warned of further attacks.
United States Position
Iranian Position
Reason for the tanker strikes
United States Position
US officials said the strikes followed IRGC ballistic-missile attacks toward two US Navy ships and were intended to defend American forces and impose an economic cost.
Iranian Position
Iran said the United States was interfering with Iranian shipping and objected to the attacks on its tankers.
Future military action
United States Position
Hegseth warned that the US would destroy and sink Iranian oil tankers if Iranian forces fired on US Navy vessels again.
Iranian Position
Iran warned that it would intensify attacks on US military vessels if Washington continued interfering with Iranian shipping.
Legality of the operation
United States Position
The United States presented the strikes as a response to attacks on its naval forces; the articles do not report a separate US legal justification.
Iranian Position
Iran called the strikes a war crime and alleged that they violated Article 2(4) of the United Nations Charter.
- Reported trigger
- The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps reportedly launched ballistic missiles toward two US Navy warships.
- Targeted vessels
- The M/T Downy, M/T Stark 1, and unladen M/T Kylo were struck.
- US assessment
- CENTCOM said the vessels were disabled or destroyed and that no US personnel were harmed.
- Hegseth warning
- Pete Hegseth said the US would destroy and sink Iranian oil tankers if Iran attacked US Navy ships.
- CENTCOM warning
- Admiral Brad Cooper said the United States could impose a higher economic cost on Iran by targeting its exposed oil fleet.
- Iranian response
- Iran warned it would intensify attacks on US military vessels if Washington continued interfering with Iranian shipping.
- Legal condemnation
- Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs described the strikes as a war crime and said they violated Article 2(4) of the United Nations Charter.
