Iran Claims Strikes on Three Oil Tankers and US Ships in Retaliation for US Attack
IRGC Claims Retaliatory Strikes on Tankers and US Ships
The Iranian Navy targeted three oil tankers traveling through the Strait of Hormuz and three US-affiliated ships in retaliation for the three oil tankers hit by the US, the IRGC claimed. [3] The navy of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said on Saturday it targeted three oil tankers that were traveling through unauthorized routes in the Strait of Hormuz as well as three additional U.S. vessels in other areas, according to a statement. [2] The IRGC warned against ships transiting the strait through routes unauthorized by Iran. [3] "Do not be deceived by the 'terrorist' US military and refrain from any suspicious movement aimed at passing through unauthorized waterways," the IRGC Navy said in a statement carried on Iranian state TV. [3] "Otherwise, you will be targeted." [3]
US Strikes Follow Iranian Missile Attack on Navy Ships
The strikes were carried out after Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps launched ballistic missiles at two US Navy ships, CENTCOM said. [1] CENTCOM said that the strikes were carried out after the IRGC launched ballistic missiles at two US Navy ships. [3] “Let the message to the IRGC be clear: If you shoot at two of our ships, we will impose an even higher economic cost - taking out three of yours," said Admiral Brad Cooper, head of CENTCOM. [3] This comes after the US struck three Iranian oil tankers earlier in the day, according to CENTCOM. [3]
Video and Location Details of the US Action
Fire and smoke rise during what U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) says are strikes on Iranian oil carriers, at an unknown location in this screengrab taken from a handout video released on September 5, 2026. [1] One such tanker was reportedly struck off the coast of Kharg Island, near Iran's key oil export hub, with Tasnim, the semi-official Iranian news agency, reporting that four US missiles hit a tanker in the region. [3] Still from a video of a US strike on an Iranian oil tanker, September 5, 2026. [3] US forces conduct strikes against Iranian oil tankers, September 5, 2026. [1]
Escalation Threats from Iranian Military Command
The IRGC later announced that it attacked a US aircraft carrier and destroyer with ballistic missiles, according to Reuters, though the US has not confirmed this. [3] Iran threatened intensified strikes against US military vessels in the region after the US strikes. [3] "If the evil, insecurity and harassment of Iranian ships and the naval blockade of Iran continue, the strikes of the Islamic Republic of Iran's armed forces against US military vessels in the region will be more severe than before, and there is a possibility of their expansion," Iran's military command said in a post on state media. [3] US Central Command (CENTCOM) has not confirmed the strikes. [3]
Context of Broader Conflict and Ceasefire
Israel and the US launched Operations Roaring Lion and Epic Fury on February 28, with the stated aim of creating conditions for regime change. [1] Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed by an Israeli strike on a Tehran bunker. [1] Iran’s defense minister and several IRGC generals were also killed in the largest-ever aerial attack by the IAF. [1] Iran retaliated by firing across the Middle East at Gulf nations and US military bases in the region. [1] Thirty-nine IDF soldiers and 23 civilians have been killed, and at least 7,693 more injured in ballistic missile attacks across Israel since February 28. [1] 18 US soldiers killed, CENTCOM says. [1] A ceasefire deal was announced on April 7 and went into effect on April 8. [1]
What to watch next: CENTCOM has not confirmed the strikes claimed by the IRGC, while Iran's military command has signaled that further action against US vessels remains possible if harassment of Iranian ships continues.
