05/09/2026
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05/09/2026
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WASHINGTON, Sep 5: US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Saturday threatened to destroy and sink Iranian oil tankers if Tehran continues attacks on US Navy vessels.
“It’s simple: if Iran shoots at US ships, we will destroy (and sink) their oil tankers,” Hegseth said in a post on X, adding that Iran only needs to stop attacking US Navy ships.
His remarks came hours after US forces reportedly struck three Iranian oil tankers. Hegseth described Iran’s tanker fleet as “defenseless,” claiming Tehran no longer has a navy or air force capable of protecting the vessels.
He also warned that US aircraft, warships and submarines could target Iranian tankers across areas under the US Central Command and Indo-Pacific Command.
