Below is a CENTCOM news release. 

The title of the release is not really accurate in that two of the tanker were immobilized while the third was destroyed.

It seems there is some messaging going on here. In the first two cases it appears the tankers were struck by Hellfire missiles targeting the stern so as to damage propulsion and/or steering while avoiding a massive release of oil. The third tanker was empty so destroying it did not result in a massive oil spill.

But the message was clear, we can destroy your tankers.

I would really like to know what weapons were used to destroy the third tanker. It may have been multiple Hellfires followed by secondary explosions.

I hope the Coast Guard is paying attention, because we need a ubiquitous weapon capable of forcefully stopping even large merchant ships that might be used a terrorist attack.

TAMPA, Fla. — U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) forces struck three Iranian crude oil carriers, Sept. 5, after the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) launched ballistic missiles toward two U.S. Navy warships patrolling regional waters.

A U.S. aircraft carrier and guided-missile destroyer successfully evaded multiple unprovoked Iranian attacks. No American personnel were harmed.

Following Iran’s failed attacks, CENTCOM permanently disabled the IRGC crude oil carriers M/T Downy off the coast of Kharg Island and M/T Stark 1 near Jask. American forces also completely destroyed the unladen crude oil carrier M/T Kylo (also known as the “Noxen”) in the Gulf of Oman, striking the vessel in multiple critical locations to render it inoperable after the crew was directed to abandon ship.

The three Iranian crude oil tankers are part of a multibillion-dollar shadow network that funds the IRGC and its regional proxies. Iran has no means by which to defend them.

“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 Adm. Brad Cooper, CENTCOM commander. “We will not hesitate to defend American forces, and if necessary, destroy Iran’s limited and exposed oil fleet.”