In response to recent attacks on its warships, the U.S. military announced the destruction of five Iranian oil tankers on Tuesday. Subsequently, Iran retaliated by launching missiles towards U.S. targets in Jordan, according to Iranian state-run media. The Jordanian military reported intercepting 18 ballistic missiles, with two landing in uninhabited areas. No casualties were reported.
Jordan, a key U.S. ally hosting American forces, has repeatedly been targeted by Iranian strikes due to its military presence. The U.S. Central Command provided no further details on the recent events.
The ongoing conflict has seen a combination of economic and military tactics employed by U.S. President Donald Trump in an effort to conclude the prolonged war. Additionally, the Trump administration imposed sanctions on various sectors of Iran’s aviation industry, including commercial airlines and cargo service providers, as part of isolating Tehran from its remaining trade partners.
Both the U.S. and Iran are vying for control over the strategic Strait of Hormuz, a crucial waterway through which a significant portion of global oil shipments pass. The escalating tensions have caused energy prices to soar, presenting political challenges for Trump and the Republican Party leading up to the November midterm elections.
Over the weekend, U.S. forces destroyed three Iranian oil tankers following an attempted attack by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps on a U.S. aircraft carrier and destroyer using ballistic missiles. Iran subsequently announced plans for a new exclusion zone near the Strait of Hormuz to regulate vessel traffic.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized that the U.S. will not tolerate Iran’s aggression unanswered. Experts warn that the tit-for-tat strikes risk further retaliation and could adversely impact the global economy, emphasizing the need for a diplomatic resolution to avoid escalating tensions between Washington and Tehran.
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 Derya near Kharg Island in the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian state television reported the attacks on Iranian tankers near Jask and Kharg Island, with crews safely evacuated.
Amid the heightened tensions, Iran’s IRGC navy warned tanker crews near Kuwait and Bahrain ports to vacate their ships immediately, alleging potential targeting in retaliation for U.S. actions. The U.S. blockade of Iranian ports has crippled the country’s oil exports, while American military assistance has facilitated limited ship transits through the Strait of Hormuz, a contentious issue as Tehran seeks control over the international waterway.