US Destroys Five Iranian Oil Tankers in Escalating Military Standoff
The US military has destroyed five Iranian oil tankers in response to missile 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 US Central Command said it had no information to offer on the latest strikes, but confirmed that five Iranian tankers were destroyed in the Gulf of Oman and Strait of Hormuz. The vessels targeted included the Kivik, Charminar, Horizon 1, Riesco, and Derya.
Iran's Revolutionary Guards had previously warned that it would 'destroy Iran's limited and exposed oil fleet' if necessary. The US has 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.
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.