Hegseth Threatens to Destroy and Sink Iran’s Oil Tankers
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth issued a direct warning to Iran after U.S. forces struck three Iranian oil tankers following missile attacks on U.S. Navy warships.
“If Iran shoots at U.S. ships, we will destroy (and sink) their oil tankers,” Hegseth said in a post on X, adding that Iran only needs to refrain from attacking the U.S. Navy.
The warning came after the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) launched ballistic missiles toward a U.S. aircraft carrier and a guided-missile destroyer. The U.S. said its warships successfully evaded the attacks.
Hegseth’s statement signals that Washington is prepared to continue targeting Iran’s oil fleet if Iranian forces attack U.S. naval vessels again.