“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. We will not hesitate to defend American forces, and if necessary, destroy Iran’s limited and exposed oil fleet.” — Adm. Brad Cooper, CENTCOM commander.

US Central Command commander Admiral Brad Cooper issued a stern warning to Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). He stated that if Iran attacks U.S. ships, the U.S. will retaliate by destroying three Iranian oil ships, imposing a higher economic cost.