U.S. Central Command struck three Iranian crude oil carriers on September 5 after the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps launched ballistic missiles toward two U.S. Navy warships patrolling regional waters.

Attack and response

The IRGC directed ballistic missiles at a U.S. aircraft carrier and a guided-missile destroyer, both of which successfully evaded the incoming fire. U.S. Central Command described the Iranian attacks as "unprovoked." No American personnel were harmed in the incident.

Key details of the incident

The following table summarises the key facts as reported by U.S. Central Command.

U.S. Central Command confirmed that its forces carried out the strikes on the Iranian crude oil carriers in direct response to the ballistic missile launches by the IRGC against the two Navy warships on patrol in regional waters.

U.S. Central Command reported that the U.S. Navy has redirected 87 commercial vessels, disabled 3, and boarded 2 as of September 3 to enforce the blockade against Iran.

Enforcement actions at a glance

The following table summarises the enforcement actions taken by U.S. forces as reported by U.S. Central Command.

U.S. Central Command stated that the U.S. Navy continues to strictly enforce the blockade, with compliance checks carried out across all three categories of intervention as of September 3.

Operational presence

A U.S. sailor stood watch aboard the guided-missile destroyer USS John Paul Jones (DDG 53) as it continued to support the U.S. blockade against Iran in regional waters.

Escalation warning

U.S. Central Commander Adm. Brad Cooper issued a stern warning to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). He stated that if the IRGC shoots at two U.S. ships, the U.S. will impose an even higher economic cost by taking out three of theirs.

Cooper added that the U.S. will not hesitate to defend American forces. He noted that if necessary, the U.S. will destroy Iran's limited and exposed oil fleet.