Florida, September 6, 2026 — U.S. Central Command has released video footage showing an Iranian oil vessel engulfed in flames before sinking in the Gulf of Oman, while warning Tehran that attacks targeting American naval assets will result in severe economic consequences.
The M/T Kylo was one of three crude oil carriers linked to Iran that were struck by U.S. military forces on Saturday. According to U.S. Central Command, the action followed an attack by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), which launched ballistic missiles toward two U.S. Navy vessels operating in regional waters.
In a statement posted on X, U.S. Central Command identified the vessel as the M/T Kylo.
“Thanks to the precision and professionalism of American service members, the M/T Kylo sank in the Gulf of Oman today and joined Iran’s navy at the bottom of the sea,” U.S. Central Command said.
American military officials confirmed that the strike operations took place Saturday following the IRGC missile launches toward the two U.S. Navy warships. U.S. Central Command said an American aircraft carrier and a guided-missile destroyer successfully evaded several incoming Iranian attacks, with no American personnel injured.
The U.S. military also said the M/T Downy was permanently disabled near Kharg Island, while the M/T Stark 1 was disabled near Jask.
Officials said the M/T Kylo, also known as the “Noxen,” was destroyed in the Gulf of Oman after strikes hit multiple critical sections of the vessel. U.S. Central Command said the crew was ordered to abandon the ship before it became completely inoperable.
U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth subsequently warned Tehran that Washington would target Iranian oil carriers if Iranian forces attacked U.S. Navy vessels.
“It’s simple: if Iran shoots at U.S. ships, we will destroy (and sink) their oil tankers. All they have to do is not shoot at @USNavy,” Hegseth said in a post on X.
“Iran’s oil tanker fleet is defenseless — Iran has no navy or air force. Our planes, ships & subs can strike them all, in @centcom & @USPACOM,” he added.
U.S. Central Command said the three tankers were part of a multibillion-dollar shadow network that finances the IRGC and affiliated regional proxy groups.
Brad Cooper, commander of U.S. Central Command, said, “If you shoot at two of our ships, we will impose an even higher economic cost — taking out three of yours.”
The Iranian Foreign Ministry strongly condemned the U.S. military strikes, describing them as violations of the United Nations Charter and a war crime.
“These illegal and irresponsible actions, which constitute a continuation of the U.S. military aggression against Iran and are part of the naval blockade and economic warfare imposed on the Islamic Republic of Iran, represent a clear violation of Article 2(4) of the United Nations Charter, constitute a war crime, and pose a threat to international peace and security as well as maritime trade,” the ministry said. (ANI)
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