If Iran shoots at US ships, we will destroy (and sink) their oil tankers: Pete Hegseth

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has threatened to wipe out Iran's commercial fleet, declaring on social media platform X that American forces will systematically sink the Islamic regime's oil tankers if Tehran continues targeting Navy ships.

"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 US Navy."

Iran’s oil tanker fleet is defenseless — Iran has no navy or air force, said Hegseth in his post. "Our planes, ships & subs can strike them all, in US Central Commad and US Pacific Commad."


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The message comes after US Central Command published video footage capturing an Iranian oil vessel consumed by flames before sinking into the Gulf of Oman, concurrently issuing a stern warning to Tehran that assaults targeting American naval assets will provoke severe economic consequences.

The M/T Kylo constituted one of three crude oil carriers belonging to Iran that faced strikes executed by United States military units on Saturday (local time). According to US Central Command, the action followed an initiative by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) involving ballistic missiles aimed at two United States Navy vessels deployed within regional waters.

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Through a statement published on X, US Central Command identified the vessel as the M/T Kylo, noting, "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."

American military officials confirmed that the strike operations took place on Saturday, local time, following the IRGC missile launch towards the two patrolling US Navy warships. Reports from US Central Command indicated that an American aircraft carrier alongside a guided-missile destroyer successfully avoided several incoming Iranian attacks, leaving zero American personnel wounded.

Additionally, the United States military stated that operations had permanently disabled the M/T Downy close to Kharg Island alongside the M/T Stark 1 situated near Jask. Officials added that the M/T Kylo, alternatively designated as the "Noxen", suffered destruction within the Gulf of Oman following strikes across multiple vital sections. US Central Command noted that crew members received orders to abandon the vessel prior to it becoming completely inoperable.