U.S. Strikes Three Iranian Oil Tankers, Deploys F-35As to Tighten Hormuz Blockade

US Warns of "Greater Economic Cost" After Evading Iranian Attacks
Intensifying Clashes Over Control of the Strait of Hormuz

The conflict between the United States and Iran over control of the Strait of Hormuz is intensifying. The U.S. military has retaliated against Iran's ballistic missile attacks targeting its aircraft carriers and destroyers by striking three Iranian oil tankers. In addition, the U.S. military has deployed F-35A stealth fighters to further strengthen the maritime blockade against Iran.

The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) announced on September 5 (local time) that "U.S. aircraft carriers and guided missile destroyers have successfully evaded several unprovoked attacks by Iran," and confirmed that they struck three Iranian oil tankers.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) reportedly fired ballistic missiles at two naval vessels, including a U.S. aircraft carrier. While the IRGC has previously fired ballistic missiles at U.S. forces during times of war, American authorities said that this latest attack directly targeting aircraft carriers and other naval vessels is considered a significant escalation.

Brad Cooper, commander of U.S. Central Command, stated, "Attacking two of our warships sends a clear message to the IRGC that we will take out three Iranian vessels and impose greater economic costs." He added, "We will not hesitate to defend U.S. forces and, if necessary, we will destroy Iran’s exposed and limited tanker fleet."

The U.S. military announced that as a result of these attacks, it neutralized one oil tanker near Kharg Island, a major Iranian crude oil export hub, as well as one tanker in the vicinity of the Jask oil terminal. In the Gulf of Oman, the military explained that after ordering crew members to abandon ship, they struck a tanker carrying no crude oil several times until it was completely destroyed.

Iranian state media also reported that an oil tanker near Kharg Island had been attacked. On September 1, when a large-scale airstrike took place, the U.S. military also struck two Iranian oil tankers.

Meanwhile, the U.S. military continues its maritime blockade to weaken Iran's crude oil export capabilities. On September 6, U.S. Central Command announced via X (formerly Twitter) that "the U.S. military is continuing to enforce the maritime blockade against Iran," and as of September 6, to strictly enforce the blockade, 92 merchant ships had their routes redirected, 3 ships were neutralized, and 2 were boarded.

Central Command also released photos of U.S. Air Force F-35A stealth fighters patrolling the skies above the area. According to the U.S. Department of Defense, the military has deployed naval power such as destroyers and combat, attack, and unmanned aircraft around the Strait of Hormuz to conduct blockade operations while assisting merchant vessels transiting the strait.

The United States resumed its maritime blockade on July 14, targeting ships operating in and around Iranian ports and coastal areas. During the initial blockade from April 13 to June 18, the U.S. military said it redirected the routes of more than 140 merchant vessels and neutralized nine ships that failed to comply with blockade instructions.

The United States maintains that the current blockade aims to cut off Iran's oil exports, deter attacks on merchant vessels and disruptions to navigation within the Strait of Hormuz, and protect international maritime traffic.

Clashes between the two nations surrounding the Strait of Hormuz have intensified again recently. At the end of August, the U.S. military announced that the Navy SEALs, with the support of other forces, removed naval mines installed along key routes.

To mitigate disruptions to the global oil supply, the United States is currently supporting the passage of several ships through the strait each day. These vessels are reportedly traveling mostly at night with their Automatic Identification Systems (AIS) turned off to avoid being tracked by Iran.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.