U.S. Destroys Five Iranian Oil Tankers After Attacks on Warships

The U.S. military confirmed on Tuesday that it destroyed five Iranian oil tankers, marking the latest escalation in a conflict that has persisted for over six months. The strikes were carried out in retaliation for recent attacks on U.S. Navy warships and American installations in Jordan.

Following the American assault on the vessels, Iranian state media reported that Tehran launched missiles toward U.S. targets in Jordan. The Jordanian military stated that its air defense systems intercepted 18 ballistic missiles, while two others landed in unpopulated areas. Officials reported no casualties. Jordan, a key U.S. ally hosting American forces, has become a frequent target of Iranian retaliatory strikes.

This incident is part of President Donald Trump’s dual strategy combining economic sanctions and military action to conclude the war. On the same day as the strikes, the Trump administration imposed sanctions on more than two dozen Iranian commercial and private airlines, along with foreign cargo providers, aiming to isolate Tehran from its remaining trade networks.

Control of the Strait of Hormuz remains a critical objective for both nations. Prior to the onset of hostilities, approximately 20% of global oil supplies passed through the strait. The resulting surge in energy prices has created political challenges for the Trump administration and the Republican Party ahead of the November midterm elections. Brent crude briefly reached $99.46 per barrel on Tuesday.

U.S. forces had already destroyed three Iranian oil tankers earlier in the week after Iran’s Revolutionary Guards attempted to attack a U.S. aircraft carrier and destroyer with ballistic missiles. At that time, Iranian officials warned they would destroy Iran’s “limited and exposed” oil fleet if necessary. Iran subsequently announced plans to establish a new exclusion zone near the Strait of Hormuz to block transiting vessels.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio, speaking to reporters during a trip to Colombia, emphasized that the U.S. would not tolerate continued attacks on its naval assets. “For every time they do that or try to do that, they’re going to lose tankers,” Rubio said, predicting further losses for Iran.

Experts warn that the cycle of violence risks widening the conflict. Danny Citrinowicz, an Iran specialist at Israel’s Institute for National Security Studies, cautioned on social media that there is “no kinetic solution to the Strait of Hormuz problem.” He added that each attempt to impose force brings Washington and Tehran closer to an uncontrollable escalation with severe consequences for the global economy.