U.S. Central Command forces struck three Iranian crude oil tankers on Saturday in direct response to ballistic missile attacks launched by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps against two U.S. Navy warships.

An aircraft carrier and a guided-missile destroyer successfully evaded multiple unprovoked Iranian attacks, and no American personnel were harmed, according to a CENTCOM statement.

The strikes permanently disabled the IRGC crude oil carriers M/T Downy off the coast of Kharg Island and M/T Stark 1 near Jask. American forces also destroyed the unladen crude oil carrier M/T Kylo, also known as the Noxen, in the Gulf of Oman by hitting the vessel in multiple critical locations after directing the crew to abandon ship.

CENTCOM described the tankers as part of a multibillion-dollar shadow network that funds the IRGC and its regional proxies. Iran has no means to defend them.

"Let the message to the IRGC be clear: If you shoot at two of our ships, we will impose an even higher economic cost, taking out three of yours," said Adm. Brad Cooper, the CENTCOM commander. "We will not hesitate to defend American forces, and if necessary, destroy Iran’s limited and exposed oil fleet."

The action marks the latest escalation in the ongoing confrontation between the United States and Iran centered on control of the Strait of Hormuz, a vital global energy corridor. The strikes come after a period of relative calm that ended this week with renewed attacks.

Iranian state media had reported earlier that one tanker was struck by U.S. missiles off Kharg Island. Audio recordings confirmed that U.S. aircraft issued warnings to crews via emergency channels prior to the strikes.