US Strikes Iranian Oil Tankers Amid Escalating Tensions
US forces struck five Iranian oil tankers in response to Tehran's attacks on an American warship. The US Central Command (Centcom) said four tankers linked to Iran's Revolutionary Guards Corps were targeted, as well as another near Kharg Island.
The strikes came after Iran twice targeted a US warship with ballistic missiles, which Centcom said were 'successfully evaded'.
Tehran responded by launching missiles at a US base in Jordan, most of which were shot down. The Jordanian Armed Forces reported that 18 out of 20 Iranian missiles were intercepted.
The US strikes on Tuesday came hours after Iran's navy claimed it had seized an uncrewed US submarine in the Strait of Hormuz. However, US Navy Captain Tim Hawkins said the 'underwater drone operated by US forces malfunctioned more than a day ago' and was used to survey regional waters.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the situation is 'pretty straightforward': 'Iran continues to try to hit US naval ships. And, for every time they do that or try to do that, they're going to lose tankers.'