'Joining Iran's navy on seafloor': CENTCOM sinks Iranian oil tanker in Gulf of Oman

“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 CENTCOM chief Adm. Brad Cooper.

US forces sank an Iranian oil tanker in the Gulf of Oman on Saturday, US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced in a post on X/Twitter.

"Thanks to the precision and professionalism of American service members, the M/T Kylo sank in the Gulf of Oman today and joined Iran’s navy at the bottom of the sea," CENTCOM said.

The strike follows strikes against three other Iranian tankers earlier on Saturday, including one off the coast of Kharg Island, as part of the US's continued naval and economic blockade meant to cripple the Islamic regime. 

CENTCOM noted that the strikes against the three tankers were carried out in response to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) launching ballistic missiles at two US Navy ships.

US will impose 'higher economic cost' if Iran shoots at forces

“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 CENTCOM chief Adm. Brad Cooper.

Tasnim, the semi-official Iranian news agency, reported earlier that four US missiles hit a tanker in the area of Kharg's anchorage. Tasnim quoted local sources as saying there were no casualties and the tanker's crew was being evacuated.

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth took to X to write, "If Iran shoots at US ships, we will destroy (and sink) their oil tankers. All they have to do is not shoot at [the] US Navy."

The exchange of attacks follows an escalation in the past week that threatens to deepen a conflict that has dragged on since the US launched strikes on Iran in February, disrupting global energy supplies and drawing opposition from a majority of Americans before congressional elections in November.