US Central Command confirmed airstrikes on three Iranian oil tankers on September 5, permanently disabling at least one vessel near Kharg Island, Iran’s main crude export terminal. The M/T Downy was disabled off Kharg Island, the M/T Stark 1 near Jask, and the M/T Kylo was destroyed in the Gulf of Oman after its crew abandoned ship. No casualties have been reported. Iranian state-affiliated media said four missiles hit the tanker near Kharg Island, broadly matching US accounts, while CENTCOM said warnings allowed crews to evacuate. A separate report by Fox News, citing senior US officials, described strikes near Hormuz Island and Jask, including Iranian oil tankers, as part of a broader effort to constrain Iran economically by targeting its crude-export capacity. The Pentagon characterized the operation as retaliation for ballistic missile attacks by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) against US Navy warships. US officials said the tankers supported a multibillion-dollar network funneling revenue to the IRGC and its operations. Adm. Brad Cooper indicated that broader actions could remain available if Washington seeks to impose further economic or military costs on Tehran. The strikes extend a campaign that has included sanctions, interdictions and a naval blockade of Iranian ports in place since mid-April 2026. Market pricing puts the probability of a US invasion of Iran by the end of 2026 at 14.5%, while investors will monitor further military actions, Pentagon statements, diplomatic moves, Iranian responses, new regional alliances and formal US announcements.