U.S. military claims to have "destroyed" three Iranian oil tankers
The U.S. Central Command issued a statement on the 5th, stating that the U.S. military "destroyed" three Iranian oil tankers on that day in response to attacks by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) on two U.S. warships patrolling "regional waters."
The statement noted that a U.S. aircraft carrier and a guided-missile destroyer evaded multiple Iranian attacks, and that missile strikes by the IRGC caused no casualties among U.S. personnel.
The statement further stated that the U.S. military subsequently struck two Iranian oil tankers near Kharg Island and the southern port city of Jask, rendering them "permanently incapable of navigation." Additionally, the U.S. military launched an attack on an empty oil tanker in the Gulf of Oman, damaging several key structural areas and "completely destroying" it.
According to earlier reports by Iranian media on the 5th, multiple explosions were heard in waters near Kharg Island. An Iranian oil tanker was hit by a missile fired by the U.S. military near Kharg Island.
Iranian Revolutionary Guard claims attacks on multiple oil tankers and U.S. vessels
According to Iran's Fars News Agency, the commander of the IRGC Navy issued a statement on the 5th, stating that Iran had targeted three U.S. vessels and three oil tankers transiting unauthorized routes in the Strait of Hormuz, in response to earlier U.S. attacks on Iranian oil tankers that day.
The statement warned all vessels in the Persian Gulf and near the Strait of Hormuz not to be "deceived by the U.S. military," urging them to avoid conducting "suspicious activities" on any unauthorized routes, or they would become targets of strikes.
As of press time, the U.S. side had not responded to the aforementioned statements.
Iran denies attack on Isfahan nuclear facilities
According to the Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA), the public relations department of the IRGC issued a statement on the 5th, denying that the Isfahan Nuclear Technology Center and nuclear facilities had been attacked, describing related reports as purely fabricated.
The statement asserted that recent online rumors regarding an attack on the Isfahan nuclear facility were baseless. It characterized the dissemination of such content amid the current sensitive situation as an attempt by hostile forces to create tension, disrupt public opinion, and incite panic among the populace.
The statement urged the public to obtain information on the security situation solely from official agencies and authoritative media outlets, and warned against forwarding unverified information or content from unreliable sources.
The statement emphasized that relevant Iranian authorities remain on high alert and are closely monitoring the movements of hostile forces.