Read Authentic Ratings for the Downy

In a significant escalation of tensions in the Persian Gulf, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) has launched a decisive military response to Iranian provocations by attacking three Iranian crude oil carriers on September 5, 2026. This action, part of a newly adopted 'tanker-for-tanker' strategy, comes after Iranian forces targeted a U.S. aircraft carrier and destroyer with ballistic missiles, which fortunately evaded impact without any American casualties. Two of the three tankers targeted, the 'Downy' and the 'Stark 1' (IMO: 9171450), suffered severe damage. The 'Downy' was positioned near Iran's primary oil export hub at Kharg Island, while 'Stark 1' was located off the coast of Jask, receiving multiple warnings through VHF communications before the strike. Initial communication from a U.S. military aircraft warned the tanker crew to vacate the stern, offering a mere three minutes to comply. As the situation escalated, the warning time was reduced to just one minute, making it clear that urgent action was necessary. Crew members, communicating in Persian and Urdu, expressed concern over the captain still being asleep as they prepared to abandon ship. The 'Stark 1' was previously sanctioned by the U.S. in 2018 for carrying Iranian oil. In a related assault, the third vessel, the 'Kylo' (IMO: 9189146), was rendered inoperable after it was struck in key areas, leading to its ultimate sinking. The attack on 'Kylo' involved multiple strikes to the weather deck and severe penetrations through its port side, reminiscent of an antiship cruise missile engagement. The tanker began to list before finally sinking, with it being noted that it was in ballast at the time, mitigating potential environmental spill risks. VIDEOS of the incidents are available here: [Video 1](https://x.com/CENTCOM/status/2096247889366290840/video/1) and [Video 2](https://twitter.com/i/status/2096397091769565468). This military engagement marks a significant escalation of hostilities between U.S. forces and Iranian military entities in this strategically important region.