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· collected 2026-09-05 · by AFP
On September 5, 2026, the US military launched airstrikes on three Iranian oil tankers, destroying one and damaging the others. According to CENTCOM, the vessels targeted were part of a multibillion-dollar network funding the IRGC and its proxies. The strikes come amid a six-month war with Iran, with Washington seeking to choke its economy through sanctions and blockades. In response, Iran's Revolutionary Guards vowed to target US warships in the Strait of Hormuz if the attacks continue, threatening more severe reprisals than before.
Written by the local model on 2026-09-05,
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Leaning score +0.55 for article 4856 (high confidence, 1 verified quote) · logged 2026-09-05
The United States said it destroyed three Iranian oil tankers on Saturday (September 5, 2026) in response to attempted missile attacks on naval vessels, with Iran’s Revolutionary Guards saying they targeted U.S.-linked ships in response.
asserted
they → say → response
The latest round of clashes, which began with U.S. raids last week, comes amid a deadlock in the six-month war.
asserted
which → begin → war
Iran has maintained its stranglehold on the strategic Strait of Hormuz as Washington continues pressing its counter-blockade of Iranian ports.
asserted
Washington → maintain → ports
In addition to the renewed military action, Washington is also seeking to choke Iran’s economy, announcing sanctions on entities with financial links to the Islamic republic in a bid to force it into submission.
asserted
Washington → renew → submission
U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said early on Saturday (September 5) it targeted tankers linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), accusing the most powerful arm of the Iranian military of unsuccessfully firing at American warships.
asserted
it → say → warships
“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,” it said.
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it → follow → Jask
“American forces also completely destroyed the unladen crude oil carrier M/T Kylo... in the Gulf of Oman, striking the vessel in multiple critical locations to render it inoperable after the crew was directed to abandon ship.”
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crew → destroy → ship
Video posted by CENTCOM showed large fireballs and billowing flames after projectiles slammed into the ships.
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projectiles → post → ships
The three vessels were “part of a multibillion-dollar shadow network that funds the IRGC and its regional proxies,” it said.
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it → fund → IRGC
After the strikes, CENTCOM commander Admiral Brad Cooper said: “If you shoot at two of our ships, we will impose an even higher economic cost - taking out three of yours.”
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we → say → yours
Iran’s warning
But Iran appeared undeterred, with the IRGC announcing later on Saturday (September 5) that their naval forces had subsequently “targeted three oil tankers on the unauthorised route of the Strait of Hormuz and three vessels affiliated with the child-killing America in other areas.”
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forces → appear → areas
It warned other ships not to attempt to transit by unapproved routes.
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It → warn → routes
CENTCOM did not immediately respond to AFP’s questions about the IRGC claims.
uncertain
CENTCOM → respond → claims
The Iranian Foreign Ministry earlier hit out at Washington over the strikes on the oil tankers, calling them “illegal and aggressive actions.”
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Ministry → hit → them
A correspondent for Iranian state TV in Jask in the southern province of Hormozgan said one of the tankers was empty and the second was carrying oil.
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second → say → oil
The crews were transported to shore on lifeboats, they said.
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they → transport → lifeboats
Another state TV correspondent on Kharg Island said the attack there caused no casualties.
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attack → say → casualties
Iran’s Khatam-al Anbiya central military command warned that if the U.S. continued its attacks, then Tehran’s retaliation against U.S. warships would be “more severe than before, and there is a possibility of their expansion.”
asserted
retaliation → warn → expansion
