US Launches Series of Attacks on Iranian Oil Tankers
The United States has launched a series of attacks on Iranian oil tankers in response to an attempted attack on one of its warships. The US military said it 'destroyed' five vessels, with four hit in the Gulf of Oman and one near Kharg Island, Iran's main oil-export terminal.
According to Centcom, the crews were directed to abandon ship before the vessels were struck and rendered inoperable. It's unclear what proportion of Iran's energy fleet has been affected by these attacks.
The US has maintained a naval blockade aimed at squeezing Iran's economy and forcing its leaders to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and restart negotiations.
Brent crude prices rose 2.5% to above $100 a barrel on Wednesday, extending its rise to 65% for the year. This added pressure on US President Donald Trump ahead of midterm elections on November 3.