US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has threatened to destroy and sink Iranian oil tankers if Tehran continues attacking American naval vessels.
Hegseth issued the warning on Saturday, hours after US forces struck three Iranian oil tankers following what Washington said were missile attacks by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) against two US Navy ships. No American personnel were reported injured.
In a post on X, Hegseth said the US response would escalate if Iran continued targeting American warships.
The US defence chief described Iran’s tanker fleet as vulnerable, arguing that Tehran no longer possesses a navy or air force capable of adequately protecting its oil vessels.
He warned that American aircraft, warships and submarines could target Iranian tankers across areas under the responsibility of US Central Command and Indo-Pacific Command.
The latest strikes marked a further escalation in the conflict between Washington and Tehran, which has increasingly extended to commercial shipping and energy infrastructure.
Read also:
- Israel accuses Iran of sponsoring Terrorism in Nigeria, warns of growing extremist influence in West Africa
- Trump issues fresh warning, vows to hit Iran “very hard”
- How gas can propel Nigeria towards industrialisation – Shell
According to the US military, two of the Iranian tankers struck on Saturday were permanently disabled, while a third vessel was destroyed.
The attacks occurred near Kharg Island, a major Iranian oil-export hub, as well as near Jask and in the Gulf of Oman.
US Central Command said the strikes were carried out after an American aircraft carrier and a guided-missile destroyer evaded multiple Iranian missile attacks.
CENTCOM commander Admiral Brad Cooper said the US would impose greater economic costs on Iran in response to attacks on American forces.
The confrontation has heightened concerns over the security of oil shipments in the region, particularly around the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial route for global energy supplies.
Iran has not immediately issued an official response to the latest US strikes.
The escalation comes amid a broader military confrontation between the two countries that has disrupted regional energy flows and increased pressure on global oil markets.
