With renewed tensions in the Middle East, the United States forces has struck five Iranian oil tankers, saying the vessels were linked to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps or IRGC on Tuesday, September 8.
According to the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), the strikes came after the IRGC twice targeted a U.S. Navy warship with ballistic missiles over the past two days.
The vessels identified were the M/T Kaviz, M/T Charminar, M/T Horizon 1 and M/T Riesco in the Gulf of Oman, and the M/T Derya near Kharg Island in the Strait of Hormuz.
The US forces provided exact videos on how they destroyed the ships.
CENTCOM said the crews of the five tankers were ordered to abandon ship shortly before the strikes. There were no reports of casualties.
According to them, Iran used the tankers as part of a multibillion-dollar network that helps fund the IRGC and its regional allies.
Meanwhile, Iran quickly retaliated.
According to reports, IRGC launched missiles toward US targets in Jordan.
In a statement, the Jordan military clarified that they have intercepted 18 of 20 ballistic missiles launched toward its territory.
No casualties were recorded as a result of the attack.
On the other hand, IRGC also targeted two US vessels and eight oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz as part of its retaliation.