CENTCOM Destroys IRGC-Linked Tankers in Response to Missile Attacks on US Warship

US Central Command forces destroyed five Iranian crude oil carriers on September 8 after the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps targeted a US Navy warship with ballistic missiles twice over the previous two days. The US warship successfully evaded the attacks and continued to patrol regional waters with no American personnel harmed, according to a CENTCOM statement.

The tankers hit were the M/T Kaviz, M/T Charminar, M/T Horizon 1 and M/T Riesco in the Gulf of Oman along with the M/T Derya near Kharg Island, CENTCOM data shows. The military described the vessels as part of a multibillion-dollar shadow network funding the IRGC and its proxies. Iran has no effective means to defend these ships, a CENTCOM assessment found.

In retaliation, Iran fired missiles at the Al Azraq air base in Jordan used by US forces, according to reports from multiple outlets. Jordanian air defenses intercepted most of the incoming missiles, preventing significant damage at the facility. The IRGC claimed the strikes destroyed hangars used by US fighter jets.

The latest exchange follows a similar sequence three days earlier on September 5 when CENTCOM destroyed three Iranian tankers after the IRGC attempted to target a US aircraft carrier and guided-missile destroyer. All Iranian attempts against US naval assets have failed to cause damage or casualties, US officials stated. This pattern highlights the ongoing tit-for-tat military actions in the region.

Oil prices surged following the strikes with Brent crude approaching $100 a barrel in early trading on September 9, market data indicated. The escalation has raised concerns about potential disruptions to oil exports from the Persian Gulf. Kharg Island, where one tanker was destroyed, serves as Iran’s primary oil export terminal.

The incidents form part of a broader conflict that erupted in February 2026 when US and Israeli forces conducted strikes on Iranian targets, multiple news outlets reported. More than six months into the hostilities, diplomatic efforts to secure a ceasefire have made little progress. Both sides have continued to exchange fire in the Gulf and surrounding areas.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio said, «When they try to hit U.S. naval ships, they will get hit themselves.» The comment came as the US emphasized its determination to protect its forces in the region. CENTCOM Commander Adm. Brad Cooper had issued a similar warning following the earlier strikes.