Archive · 6 Sep 2026
U.S. Sinks Iran-Linked Tanker, Releases Gulf of Oman Footage
The United States says it attacked three oil tankers connected to Iran.
One tanker, called the M/T Kylo or Noxen, sank in the Gulf of Oman.
Its crew left the ship before it was attacked.
The other two tankers were damaged but stayed afloat.
The United States said the ships were part of a network that helped fund Iran’s Revolutionary Guard and its regional allies.
It also said the attacks came after missiles were launched at two American Navy ships.
Iran rejected this explanation and called the attacks illegal.
Iran warned that the strikes could harm peace and ships traveling at sea.
U.S. forces struck three Iran-linked crude oil tankers on September 5, 2026, according to CENTCOM.
The Comoros-flagged M/T Kylo, also known as the Noxen, sank in the Gulf of Oman after its crew abandoned ship.
The M/T Downy near Kharg Island and M/T Stark 1 near Jask were permanently disabled but remained afloat.
CENTCOM said the strikes followed an IRGC missile attack targeting two U.S. Navy vessels, with no American personnel wounded.
Iran condemned the attacks as illegal and irresponsible, calling them aggression, economic warfare, and a threat to maritime trade.
- Who
- U.S. military forces and United States Central Command carried out the strikes; Iran and its Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps were involved in the stated dispute.
- What
- Three Iran-linked crude oil tankers were struck, and the M/T Kylo sank after its crew abandoned the vessel.
- When
- The strikes occurred on September 5, 2026; CENTCOM released footage of the sinking on September 6, 2026.
- Where
- The M/T Kylo sank in the Gulf of Oman; the M/T Downy was struck near Kharg Island and the M/T Stark 1 near Jask.
- Why
- CENTCOM said the strikes followed an IRGC missile attack on U.S. Navy vessels and targeted tankers involved in a network allegedly funding the IRGC and regional allies; Iran disputed the action and condemned it.
U.S. Position
Iranian Position
Reason for the strikes
U.S. Position
United States Central Command said the strikes followed an Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps missile attack on two U.S. Navy vessels and targeted tankers linked to a multibillion-dollar network funding the IRGC and regional allies.
Iranian Position
Iran described the attacks on its commercial vessels as a continuation of U.S. military aggression, a naval blockade, and economic warfare.
Legality
U.S. Position
U.S. officials presented the operation as a military response but the articles did not provide a detailed U.S. legal assessment.
Iranian Position
Iran said the strikes violated Article 2(4) of the United Nations Charter, constituted a war crime, and were illegal and irresponsible.
Effect on security and trade
U.S. Position
U.S. officials characterized the operation as a precise action and warned that attacks on American naval vessels would bring greater economic costs for Iran.
Iranian Position
Iran said the strikes threatened international peace, security, and maritime trade, with responsibility resting on the United States and its allies.
- Sunk tanker
- M/T Kylo, also known as the Noxen
- Flag
- Comoros
- Strike date
- September 5, 2026
- Footage release
- September 6, 2026
- Other targeted tankers
- M/T Downy and M/T Stark 1
- Status of other tankers
- Both were described as permanently disabled but remained afloat
- Iranian response
- Iran called the attacks illegal and irresponsible and said they violated Article 2(4) of the United Nations Charter
