The United States has destroyed several Iranian oil tankers in the Gulf of Oman and around Iran’s Kharg Island, in the latest escalation between Washington and Tehran.
US officials said the strikes came after Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps launched missile attacks against American naval forces. No US casualties were reported.
The US military said crews on the targeted tankers were warned to leave the vessels before the attacks. The ships were described by Washington as part of a network used to transport Iranian oil and support the country’s Revolutionary Guard.
The strikes have further raised tensions around the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important routes for oil shipments. Iran has threatened to take action against vessels operating in the Gulf, increasing fears that the conflict could disrupt international energy supplies.
Iran responded with missile attacks on a US base in Jordan. Jordanian authorities said most of the missiles were intercepted, with no casualties reported.
The latest clashes come after months of fighting and growing pressure on Iran’s oil exports. Washington has been trying to restrict Tehran’s ability to sell oil and finance its military and regional allies.
The escalation has also affected global oil markets. Brent crude rose close to $100 a barrel as traders worried that further fighting could threaten supplies and shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.
The confrontation is now spreading beyond direct US-Iranian exchanges. Iran-backed Houthi forces in Yemen have also attacked targets in Saudi Arabia, including energy infrastructure, adding to concerns about a wider regional conflict.
With both Washington and Tehran showing little sign of backing down, international concern is growing over the security of oil routes and the possible economic impact of a prolonged conflict.
