India, Sept. 5 -- US forces destroyed or disabled three Iranian crude oil tankers on Saturday, hours after Iran launched ballistic missiles towards two US Navy ships, according to US Central Command (CENTCOM), marking another sharp escalation in the confrontation between Washington and Tehran.

CENTCOM said the American warships successfully evaded the incoming missiles and that no US personnel were injured in the attacks.

The latest military exchanges have widened the conflict's maritime dimension, putting fresh focus on Iranian oil shipments and the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz.

US Central Command commander Adm Brad Cooper said Washington's response was intended to send a direct warning to Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Co...