The U.S. military says its forces permanently disabled or destroyed three Iranian oil tankers linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) after American warships come under Iranian fire. U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) says the IRGC crude oil carriers M/T Downy, off the coast of Kharg Island, and M/T Stark 1, near Jask, were permanently disabled.
CENTCOM adds that the unladen crude oil carrier M/T Kylo was completely destroyed in the Gulf of Oman. It says the vessel was struck in multiple critical locations to render it inoperable after the crew was directed to abandon ship. Video released by CENTCOM shows large explosions and fireballs as projectiles hit the ships.
All outlets frame the action as following Iran’s failed attacks, citing CENTCOM’s statements. The Middle East Eye outlet provides additional details about the circumstances and describes the tankers as part of a broader IRGC-linked network that funds the force and its regional proxies, while The Hindu and Free Malaysia Today focus mainly on the ship names and locations.
