US Destroys Five Iranian Oil Tankers Amid Escalating Hostilities
The US military has destroyed five Iranian oil tankers in response to the latest attacks on its warships, according to the AP News. The strikes come as part of a dual economic and military approach by President Donald Trump to bring an end to the war.
The US Central Command said it had no information about the strikes on the Jordanian airbase after Iran launched missiles toward U.S. targets in Jordan. This latest escalation marks a more than 6-month-old war between the two nations, with both sides seeking control over the Strait of Hormuz, where one-fifth of the world's oil is transported.
Rising energy prices are posing political problems for Trump and his Republican Party ahead of the November midterm elections. A barrel of international standard Brent crude briefly climbed to $99.46 on Tuesday.