US Destroys Five Iranian Oil Tankers Amid Escalating Tensions
The United States has attacked Iranian oil tankers in the Gulf of Oman and off Iran's Kharg Island, destroying five vessels. This is the latest escalation in tensions between the US and Iran, which have been ongoing since Saturday.
Iran responded by firing missiles at a US airbase in Jordan, but they were intercepted by Jordanian defenses. The US has also accused Iran of capturing one of its underwater drones.
The US military claims to have given notice to the crews on board the oil tankers before destroying them, and says it was responding to Iranian missile attacks on a US Navy warship that were successfully evaded.
Iran's Revolutionary Guard said it targeted US vessels and oil tankers, as well as 10 ships trying to transit through the Strait of Hormuz with US help. The US has now struck eight Iranian crude oil tankers since Saturday, further crippling Iran's economic lifeline.