In brief
In a sharp escalation, US forces targeted five Iranian oil tankers in the Gulf of Oman, sinking one, in response to missile attacks on an American base in Jordan by Tehran. The strikes hit vessels linked to the IRGC and included a tanker near Iran's key Kharg Island terminal. Iran has retaliated with missile launches toward US ships, claiming attacks on several vessels and oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz. Oil prices surged, with Brent crude climbing to $99.35 a barrel, as the US and Israel had launched earlier attacks on Iran. US officials warned that each missile launch will result in more lost Iranian tankers, while the Pentagon highlighted the targeted vessels as part of a shadow network funding the IRGC.
US forces struck five Iranian tankers on Tuesday, sinking one, in response to Tehran's missiles launched at an American base in Jordan.
The strike targeted four oil tankers linked to the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) in the Gulf of Oman, and one near Kharg Island, Iran's main oil terminal.
Iran has fired missiles that Jordan says were almost all intercepted, while claiming attacks on two US vessels and eight oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz.
Oil prices jumped, with Brent crude up 1.5% at $99.35 a barrel, as tensions rise after US and Israel launched attacks on Iran earlier this year.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio called the situation “pretty straightforward,” warning that Iran will lose tankers for every missile launch.
The hits come after a reported seizure of a US unmanned submarine by Iran's navy.
The Pentagon said the targeted vessels are part of a shadow network funding IRGC and regional proxies.
A video posted on X shows the damaged M/T Riesco and a sinking tanker near the Gulf of Oman.
Further context: Yemen's Iran‑backed Houthi movement recently attacked Saudi energy facilities, causing fires and temporary shutdowns.
