US Destroys Five Iranian Oil Tankers as Retaliation Escalates

The US military has destroyed five Iranian oil tankers in response to recent attacks on its warships, prompting Tehran to launch missiles at American targets in Jordan.

The US Central Command said it targeted the tankers after Iran's Revolutionary Guards attacked a Navy warship with ballistic missiles twice over the past two days.

The US military also destroyed three Iranian oil tankers on Saturday after Iran's Revolutionary Guards tried to attack a US aircraft carrier and destroyer with ballistic missiles.

Iranian state-run media said Tehran hit back at American targets in Jordan, but the country's military said its air defence systems intercepted 18 ballistic missiles launched toward its territory.

The latest strikes are part of a dual economic and military approach by President Donald Trump as he struggles to bring an end to the war.