The US military disabled three crude oil tankers linked to Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps on September 5, responding directly to Iranian missile strikes on two US Navy warships. Central Command released video of the operation, which targeted vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow waterway through which a massive share of global crude supply flows daily.
No casualties were reported on either side. Commercial shipping continued moving through the strait under heightened US naval protection.
What happened and why it matters
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps fired missiles at two American warships. The US hit back by disabling three IRGC-linked oil carriers. CENTCOM then published the footage, a move that serves dual purposes: demonstrating capability and sending a public message to Tehran.
The strikes used precision munitions aimed at critical ship components. The goal was to render the tankers inoperable without sinking them, limiting collateral damage and avoiding environmental catastrophe from oil spills.
A year of escalation
Iranian forces have conducted multiple drone and missile attacks on commercial tankers and marked US targets throughout 2026. One notable earlier incident involved the M/T Kiku, a tanker carrying over 2 million barrels of crude that was targeted by Iranian drones.
US military operations in the region have included strikes on more than 80 Iranian targets in recent months, hitting air defenses, military boats, and other IRGC assets. The US has also attempted to enforce naval blockades on Iranian ports.
Global energy stakes
Roughly one-fifth of global petroleum consumption passes through the Strait of Hormuz on any given day. War risk premiums for vessels entering the Persian Gulf have been rising steadily throughout 2026.
The IRGC-linked tankers that CENTCOM disabled were part of Iran’s crude export infrastructure. By targeting these vessels, the US is applying economic pressure alongside military force, squeezing Iran’s ability to generate revenue from oil sales while degrading its military logistics.
