world 5 September 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
US Strikes Iranian Oil Tankers in Retaliation for IRGC Missile Attack
U.S. Central Command announced that American forces destroyed three Iranian oil tankers on Saturday following a ballistic missile attack by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) on two U.S. Navy ships. No casualties were reported on the U.S. side, and Iranian state media indicated no crew fatalities, with evacuations underway. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/world/us-strikes-three-iranian-oil-tankers-after-irgc-attack-on-american-naval-ships-central-command-says-5584964
U.S. military forces executed strikes against three Iranian oil tankers this past Saturday, according to a statement from U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM). The operation occurred near Kharg Island, a vital hub for Iran’s oil exports.
CENTCOM reported that the action was a direct response to Iran’s IRGC launching ballistic missiles at two U.S. naval vessels. Admiral Brad Cooper, the head of CENTCOM, issued a stern warning, stating, “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.”
Initial reports from Tasnim, an Iranian semi-official news agency, indicated that four U.S. missiles struck a tanker in the vicinity of Kharg’s anchorage. Local sources cited by Tasnim suggested no casualties occurred, and the tanker’s crew was being evacuated.
This escalation follows a week of increased tensions that could further destabilize global energy markets. The conflict has been ongoing since U.S. strikes against Iran began in February, impacting energy supplies and drawing domestic opposition ahead of upcoming congressional elections.
The situation also brings to mind past threats from U.S. President Donald Trump regarding Kharg Island. In late August, Trump posted a cryptic social media message accompanied by an AI-generated video, stating Kharg Island was being “blown to smithereens,” to which Iranian authorities had vowed a strong response.
Iran, a significant producer within OPEC, historically exported the majority of its crude oil via Kharg Island. However, these flows have been significantly disrupted by a U.S. blockade of Iranian oil exports initiated in mid-April.