Story perspectives

U.S. destroys five Iranian oil tankers in Strait of Hormuz

9/10/2026

Summary

Story summary

U.S. military destroyed five Iranian oil tankers—Kivik and Derya— in Gulf of Oman and Strait of Hormuz.
U.S. forces destroyed three IRGC-linked tankers—M/T Downy, M/T Stark 1, and M/T Kylo.
U.S. warship evaded Iranian ballistic missiles and kept patrolling regional waters without injuries.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned each missile attempt would trigger more tanker losses.
Iran’s foreign ministry called the U.S. strikes illegal and aggressive.

History

Historical Context

On 18 April 1988, President Ronald Reagan ordered the United States to launch Operation Praying Mantis, a retaliatory strike after the Iranian mine that crippled the frigate USS Samuel B. Roberts on 14 April. The attack destroyed two Iranian frigates, a fast-attack craft and two oil platforms, marking the largest U.S. surface naval engagement since World War II. The operation helped push Iran toward the July 1988 cease-fire that ended the Iran-Iraq War.

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Story summary

U.S. military destroyed five Iranian oil tankers—Kivik and Derya— in Gulf of Oman and Strait of Hormuz.
U.S. forces destroyed three IRGC-linked tankers—M/T Downy, M/T Stark 1, and M/T Kylo.
U.S. warship evaded Iranian ballistic missiles and kept patrolling regional waters without injuries.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned each missile attempt would trigger more tanker losses.
Iran’s foreign ministry called the U.S. strikes illegal and aggressive.

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