US Destroys 5 Iranian Oil Tankers; Iran Strikes US Base in Jordan as Gulf Tensions Soar
Kamal Singh|Newsdesk7
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New Delhi: The conflict between the United States and Iran has sharply escalated after the US military said it destroyed five Iranian oil tankers, prompting Iran to launch missile attacks against US forces in Jordan and target vessels in and around the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz.
New Delhi: The conflict between the United States and Iran has sharply escalated after the US military said it destroyed five Iranian oil tankers, prompting Iran to launch missile attacks against US forces in Jordan and target vessels in and around the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz.
The latest exchange marks a major escalation in the more than six-month-old conflict, with military operations now increasingly affecting oil supplies, commercial shipping and regional US military installations.
US Strikes Five Iranian Oil Tankers
The US Central Command (CENTCOM) said American forces destroyed five Iranian crude-oil carriers on September 8.
Four vessels — Kaviz, Charminar, Horizon 1 and Riesco — were struck in the Gulf of Oman, while another tanker, Derya, was targeted near Iran's Kharg Island. US officials said crews were instructed to abandon the vessels before the strikes.
Washington said the action followed what it described as two attempted Iranian missile attacks on a US Navy warship over two days. The US said the warship successfully evaded the attacks and no American personnel were injured.
Iran Retaliates With Missile Attack on Jordan
Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) subsequently announced missile attacks against Al Azraq, a Jordanian air base used by US forces.
Iran claimed its missiles caused significant damage, including to facilities used by US aircraft. However, these claims have not been independently verified.
Jordan's military gave a different account, saying its air-defence systems intercepted 18 of 20 ballistic missiles fired toward Jordan. The remaining two reportedly landed in unpopulated areas, and authorities reported no casualties.
Iran Also Threatens Shipping in Strait of Hormuz
The confrontation has also moved deeper into the maritime arena.
Iran's IRGC said it attacked multiple vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, including two US vessels and eight oil tankers, although the reported damage has not been independently verified.
The IRGC has also warned ships near Kuwait and Bahrain that they could become targets, increasing fears about the safety of commercial shipping through the Gulf.
The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world's most important energy corridors, making any prolonged disruption potentially significant for global oil markets.
Oil Prices Rise Toward $100
The latest military escalation has already affected international energy markets.
Brent crude briefly moved above $100 a barrel, reflecting growing concerns that continued attacks could restrict the movement of oil through the Gulf and Strait of Hormuz.
A prolonged disruption could increase transportation and energy costs and potentially add to inflationary pressure in countries dependent on imported crude oil.
Risk of Wider Regional Conflict
The latest developments come alongside renewed attacks by Iran-aligned Houthi forces in Yemen against targets in Saudi Arabia, including energy infrastructure.
With US forces, Iranian military assets, commercial tankers and regional allies increasingly becoming involved, concerns are growing that the conflict could expand beyond the immediate US-Iran confrontation.
For now, both Washington and Tehran appear to be maintaining a strategy of military retaliation and economic pressure, while the Strait of Hormuz remains a critical flashpoint.
Key Developments 🇺🇸 US: Five Iranian oil tankers destroyed 🇮🇷 Iran: Missile attack launched toward US forces in Jordan 🇯🇴 Jordan: 18 of 20 missiles reportedly intercepted 🚢 Hormuz: Multiple commercial vessels targeted or threatened 🛢️ Oil: Brent crude moved above $100 🌍 Concern: Growing risk of wider regional escalation
