US Destroys Five Iranian Oil Tankers Amid Escalating Conflict

The US military has escalated its conflict with Iran by destroying five Iranian oil tankers in response to Tehran's repeated attempts to strike American warships. The tankers, identified as the Kivik, Charminar, Horizon 1, Riesco, and Derya, were struck in the Gulf of Oman and near Kharg Island, a key hub for Iran's oil exports.

The US Central Command said that the tanker crews were ordered to abandon ship before American forces attacked them. The operation was described as retaliation for Iran's latest failed attacks. None of the Iranian ballistic missiles had hit their intended targets, according to US officials.

Iran has threatened to target vessels in Kuwait and Bahrain, which host American forces, after accusing the two countries of facilitating US military operations. Tankers at anchor or docked in these ports may be at risk, raising concerns over commercial shipping in the Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz, a critical oil transit route.

Oil prices surged towards $100 per barrel as renewed US-Iran fighting and threats to Gulf shipping intensified fears of further disruption to global energy supplies. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that Washington would continue to target Iranian tankers if Tehran persisted in targeting US naval forces.