U.S. Forces Destroy Iranian Tanker Kylo and Disable Two Others in Retaliatory Strikes

U.S. Central Command struck three Iranian crude oil tankers on September 5 in direct retaliation for Iranian missile attacks on U.S. warships. The unladen M/T Kylo, operating in the Gulf of Oman, was struck multiple times after its crew was ordered to abandon ship - becoming the first Iranian tanker to be sunk by U.S. forces in the conflict. The M/T Downy was struck off Kharg Island and permanently disabled. The M/T Stark 1 was hit near Jask along Iran's Gulf of Oman coast and permanently disabled.

M/T Kylo is also known under the name Noxen. The sinking marks the first deliberate destruction of an Iranian commercial tanker by U.S. military forces since the conflict began in February.