Commodities
US Destroys Five Iranian Tankers Amid Escalating Conflict
Oil prices surged on Wednesday as the United States destroyed five Iranian crude carriers in response to Tehran's attacks on American naval forces. The US military said Iranian forces targeted a US Navy warship with ballistic missiles twice over the previous two days, but the ship evaded the attacks.
The destruction of the tankers was an economic response to Iranian aggression, according to US officials. Four of the tankers were hit in the Gulf of Oman, while one was struck near Iran's Kharg Island.
Iran retaliated by firing 20 ballistic missiles toward Jordan, with its air defenses intercepting and destroying 18 missiles. Two landed in unpopulated areas, causing no casualties.