US Central Command (CENTCOM) has released a video showing an Iranian oil tanker engulfed in flames before sinking in the Gulf of Oman. It further warned Iran that any attack on US warships would invite a higher economic cost.The M/T Kylo was one of three Iranian crude oil carriers targeted by US forces on Saturday, local time, after Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) launched ballistic missiles towards two US Navy warships operating in regional waters, according to CENTCOM.In a post on X, CENTCOM identified the tanker as the M/T Kylo and said, “Thanks to the precision and professionalism of American service members, the M/T Kylo sank in the Gulf of Oman today and joined Iran’s navy at the bottom of the sea.”The US military said US forces struck three Iranian crude oil carriers on Saturday, local time, after Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) launched ballistic missiles towards two US Navy warships operating in regional waters.According to CENTCOM, a US aircraft carrier and a guided-missile destroyer evaded multiple Iranian strikes, with no American personnel injured.The US military had said it “permanently disabled” the M/T Downy off Kharg Island and the M/T Stark 1 near Jask. It said the M/T Kylo, also known as the “Noxen”, was “completely destroyed” in the Gulf of Oman after being hit at multiple critical locations. CENTCOM said the crew had been directed to abandon ship before the vessel was rendered inoperable.US war secretary Pete Hegseth subsequently warned Iran that Washington would target its oil tankers if Iranian forces attacked US Navy ships.“It’s simple: if Iran shoots at U.S. ships, we will destroy (and sink) their oil tankers. All they have to do is not shoot at @USNavy,” Hegseth said in a post on X.“Iran’s oil tanker fleet is defenseless — Iran has no navy or air force. Our planes, ships & subs can strike them all, in @CENTCOM & @USPACOM,” he added.CENTCOM said the three tankers were part of a multibillion-dollar “shadow network” that funds the IRGC and its regional proxies. Brad Cooper, CENTCOM commander, said, “If you shoot at two of our ships, we will impose an even higher economic cost —taking out three of yours.”Iran’s foreign ministry condemned the attacks, calling them a violation of the UN Charter and saying they “constitute a war crime”.“These illegal and irresponsible actions, which constitute a continuation of the U.S. military aggression against Iran and are part of the naval blockade and economic warfare imposed on the Islamic Republic of Iran, represent a clear violation of Article 2(4) of the United Nations Charter, constitute a war crime, and pose a threat to international peace and security as well as maritime trade,” the ministry said.
