The United States has destroyed five Iranian oil tankers after Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) launched ballistic missiles at a US Navy warship, according to US Central Command (CENTCOM).
CENTCOM said the strikes targeted vessels linked to Iran’s so-called shadow fleet. The command said the action followed two attempted Iranian attacks on an American warship in recent days.
US Warship Evaded Iranian Missile Attacks
According to CENTCOM, the US Navy vessel successfully avoided the Iranian missile attacks.
The command said no American personnel were injured. It added that the warship continued its patrols in regional waters after evading the attacks.
The United States described the Iranian missile launches as the reason for its latest strikes against the tankers.
Five Iranian Tankers Destroyed
US forces struck five Iranian oil tankers on Tuesday. The vessels included Kivik, Charminar, Horizon 1, Riesco and Derya, according to reports citing US military information.
The tankers were reportedly linked to Iran’s shadow oil network. Washington says the network helps generate revenue for Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and its regional allies.
The latest strikes follow an earlier US operation in which American forces targeted three Iranian tankers after missile attacks on US warships.
Iran Responds With Missile Attacks
The latest US strikes triggered another Iranian response.
Iranian state media reported that Tehran launched missiles toward US targets in Jordan. Jordanian authorities said its air defenses intercepted 18 ballistic missiles. They said two additional missiles fell in unpopulated areas and reported no casualties.
The development has further increased tensions across the Middle East.
Oil Markets Face New Pressure
The latest escalation is also affecting global energy markets.
The Strait of Hormuz remains a major concern because it carries a significant share of global oil shipments. Continued military activity around the Gulf has raised fears of further disruption.
Oil prices moved close to $100 a barrel as the latest US-Iran confrontation intensified.
The United States and Iran have now entered another cycle of military retaliation. Further attacks could create additional risks for shipping, energy supplies and regional security.
