U.S. bombs Iranian tankers in Gulf of Oman following warship missile attack

According to U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), American forces engaged four oil vessels in the Gulf of Oman and an additional tanker near Kharg Island in the Persian Gulf. One of the targeted ships caught fire and sank.

CENTCOM stated that crews were ordered to abandon ship before the strikes.

This retaliatory action followed repeated Iranian attempts to strike a U.S. Navy vessel over the preceding two days. CENTCOM confirmed that the U.S. warship successfully evaded the missiles, sustained no casualties among American personnel, and continued its maritime patrols in the area.

In response to the tanker strikes, Iran launched a salvo of ballistic missiles toward Jordan. Authorities in Tehran claimed the primary objective was Muwaffaq Salti Air Base, a major installation utilized by U.S. forces.

The Jordanian Armed Forces reported that their air defense batteries intercepted 18 out of 20 incoming ballistic missiles. Two missiles fell in unpopulated open terrain. Preliminary assessments indicated no casualties.

The latest clash marks an acute phase of military escalation across key regional waterways:

Aug. 31: U.S. forces struck two Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) missile launchers on Iran’s Larak Island as they prepared to fire naval mine-laying rockets into the Strait of Hormuz.

Sept. 1: Washington announced strikes against IRGC assets throughout the Strait of Hormuz corridor, citing threats against commercial navigation and American troops. President Donald Trump warned that Iran could face "complete destruction" if it launched retaliatory attacks against U.S. strikes.

Sept. 5: The U.S. military struck three Iranian oil tankers in retaliation for ballistic missile attacks targeting U.S. Navy vessels.

Sept. 6: The IRGC claimed strikes against six vessels near the Strait of Hormuz — comprising three ships Tehran linked to the United States and three oil tankers — alleging the tankers traveled along unauthorized corridors.