The US military said it struck three Iranian tankers on Saturday after Iran attempted to attack American naval ships operating in the region, an action that pushed crude oil prices higher amid fears of further disruptions around the Strait of Hormuz.

According to US Central Command (CENTCOM), an aircraft carrier and a guided-missile destroyer evaded multiple ballistic missile attacks launched by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). CENTCOM announced the strikes in a social media post on Saturday.

The US strikes disabled the M/T Downy off Kharg Island and the M/T Stark 1 near Jask. US forces also destroyed the unladen M/T Kylo, also known as the "Noxen," in the Gulf of Oman after its crew was ordered to abandon the vessel.

CENTCOM said the three tankers were part of a shadow network that generates funds for the IRGC and its regional proxies. Such networks have long been a focus of US sanctions enforcement, which targets vessels engaged in Iranian oil exports outside formal channels. Kharg Island, off which the M/T Downy was disabled, is Iran's main crude oil loading and export terminal, while Jask lies near the eastern entrance of the Strait of Hormuz on the Gulf of Oman.

"If you shoot at two of our ships, we will impose an even higher economic cost — taking out three of yours," said Admiral Brad Cooper, commander of CENTCOM.

Crude oil prices climbed on Monday morning as fears grew of further disruptions around the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for global oil shipments. The waterway handles roughly a fifth of globally traded oil, including crude and refined products, meaning any disruption there can affect supply far beyond the region. The ICE November Brent contract traded at $97.39/bl as of 5:56 AM in London, up 1.1% from Friday's settlement of $96.28/bl. Traders and shipping markets will be watching for any further escalation involving commercial tanker traffic in the area.

Source: Ship & Bunker