US Destroys Five Iranian Oil Tankers Amid Escalating Tensions

The US military destroyed five Iranian oil tankers on Tuesday in response to attacks on its warships, escalating tensions between the two nations.

The strikes come as part of a dual economic and military approach by President Donald Trump to bring an end to the war. The Trump administration imposed sanctions on additional elements of Iran's aviation industry, targeting more than two dozen commercial and private airlines as well as foreign cargo service providers.

The US military said it had no information to offer about Jordan's claim that its air defense systems intercepted 18 ballistic missiles launched toward its territory. However, Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that the US will not allow Iran's attacks to go unanswered, saying 'Iran continues to try to hit U.S. naval ships. And for every time they do that or try to do that, they're going to lose tankers.'

The destruction of the Iranian oil tankers follows a warning from Iran's Revolutionary Guards that it would, 'if necessary, destroy Iran's limited and exposed oil fleet.' A US blockade of Iranian ports has squeezed the country's economy by limiting its oil exports.