The U.S. military announced the destruction of five Iranian oil tankers in retaliation for recent attacks on its warships, sparking a series of counterstrikes by Tehran targeting American sites in Jordan. These exchanges mark the latest escalation in a conflict that has been ongoing for over six months.
In response to the U.S. strikes, Iran reportedly launched missiles towards U.S. targets in Jordan, as confirmed by Iranian state media. However, U.S. Central Command did not provide any details regarding the alleged strikes on the Jordanian airbase.
President Donald Trump’s administration has adopted a combined economic and military strategy in an effort to end the war. Sanctions were imposed on additional sectors of Iran’s aviation industry, including numerous commercial airlines and cargo service providers, as part of a broader initiative to isolate Tehran from its remaining trade partners.
Both the U.S. and Iran are vying for control over the strategic Strait of Hormuz, a critical passageway through which a significant portion of the world’s oil shipments transited before the conflict erupted in late February. The resulting spike in energy prices has become a political challenge for Trump and the Republican Party ahead of the upcoming midterm elections, with international standard Brent crude briefly reaching $99.46 US per barrel on Tuesday.
Over the weekend, U.S. forces destroyed three Iranian oil tankers following an attempted missile attack by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps on a U.S. aircraft carrier and destroyer. This prompted Iran to announce plans for a new maritime exclusion zone near the Strait of Hormuz.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized that the U.S. will not tolerate Iran’s aggression without a response. However, experts warn that the tit-for-tat strikes between the two nations carry the risk of escalating tensions and further disrupting the global economy. Despite these developments, a lasting solution to the challenges in the Strait of Hormuz remains elusive.
The U.S. Central Command confirmed the destruction of five Iranian tankers, including the Kivik, Charminar, Horizon 1, and Riesco in the Gulf of Oman, as well as the vessel Derya near Kharg Island in the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian state television reported that the attacked tankers were located near Jask and Kharg Island in the Persian Gulf, with the crews safely evacuated.
In response to the U.S. attacks, Iran’s IRGC navy issued warnings to oil tanker crews near Kuwait and Bahrain, urging them to vacate their ships immediately to avoid potential retaliation. The ongoing blockade of Iranian ports by the U.S. has significantly impacted Iran’s oil exports, while tensions persist over control of the international waterways in the region.