Tensions between Washington and Tehran have escalated once again. The United States has attacked five Iranian oil tankers, while Iran has launched missiles toward a US base in Jordan. Jordanian authorities announced that they had intercepted 18 of the 20 missiles used in the attack.
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According to the US Central Command (CENTCOM), four of the tankers, which were linked to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), were struck in the Gulf of Oman. The fifth tanker was targeted near Kharg Island, a major hub for Iranian oil exports.
Washington has presented the operation as a response to two Iranian ballistic-missile attacks against a US warship over the past two days.
Following the US strikes, Iran launched its attack on the base in Jordan. Jordanian air defenses shot down 18 of the 20 missiles, while the other two fell in uninhabited areas, according to the country’s authorities.
The latest incident comes after several days of reciprocal attacks and represents another escalation of tensions between the two countries.
Iran warns of new attacks
Tehran has warned that it may strike US vessels again, as well as maritime assets linked to the United States that are located in the ports of Kuwait and Bahrain.
The Iranian Revolutionary Guard’s Naval Command has called on the crews of oil tankers with links to the United States to leave the vessels immediately. Its warning was that these ships could be selected as targets for attacks.
CENTCOM said that the five tankers attacked belonged to a “shadow network worth billions of dollars.” According to the US side, the network finances the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and its allied groups in the region.
Kharg, a strategic hub for Iranian oil exports
The attack on one of the tankers took place near Kharg Island, where Iran’s main oil export terminal is located.
Approximately 90% of Iran’s crude oil is transported through the island, making it a target of particular strategic importance.
The clashes have also caused movement in global markets. Brent crude rose by around 1.5%, reaching $99.41 per barrel. Meanwhile, US crude rose by 1.6% to around $94.55 per barrel.
Rubio: “For every attack on US vessels, Iran will lose tankers”
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio described the situation as “quite straightforward” during a visit to Colombia.
“Iran keeps trying to strike US warships. And every time it does so or tries to do so, it will lose tankers,” Rubio said.
CENTCOM said that the US vessel targeted by Iranian missiles evaded the attacks. According to the same source, no US soldiers were injured.
Just a few days earlier, the United States had struck three other Iranian tankers. These attacks followed Tehran’s attempts to strike an aircraft carrier and a US vessel equipped with guided missiles.
The situation in the region remains tense. Further escalation could threaten security in the Middle East, as well as global oil supplies and prices in international markets.
