IRGC Claims Missile Strike on U.S. Warship and Tanker in Indian Ocean

In a statement released on Tuesday, March 3, 2026, the IRGC asserted that the strike was part of "Operation True Promise 4," launched in retaliation for the joint military operations by the U.S. and Israel against Iranian territory that began last Saturday.

According to Iranian state-run Press TV, the attack involved the use of Ghadir-380 ballistic missiles and Talaieh cruise missiles. Tehran claims that the U.S. destroyer was struck while refuelling from the tanker approximately 600 kilometers away from the Iranian border. The IRGC further alleged that the impact caused massive fires on both vessels. However, at the time of reporting, neither the U.S. Department of Defense nor Israeli officials have confirmed the incident or the extent of any damage.

This claim comes amid a rapidly escalating regional conflict. While Iran characterizes its actions as a defensive response to "foreign aggression," U.S. officials have previously stated that they are prepared to sustain long-term military operations to neutralize threats in the region. The Indian Ocean has become a critical front in this conflict, with maritime security in the Gulf and surrounding waters currently facing the highest level of disruption in years.