US Strikes Iranian Tankers After Ballistic Missile Attacks on Navy Warship

The US military launched strikes against Iranian tankers in response to attempted ballistic missile attacks on a US Navy warship. The strikes occurred after Iran's IRGC launched a missile barrage towards regional US ally Jordan.

No American personnel were harmed in the attacks, but the USS Essex evaded two attempts by Iranian forces to hit it over the past two days. CENTCOM said the ship was continuing to patrol regional waters.

The strikes come as part of the US's strategy to prioritize striking or disabling targets around the Strait of Hormuz and maintaining its naval blockade on Iranian ports.

Iran retaliated by launching missiles at Jordan, but most were intercepted by the country's air defenses. The IRGC warned oil tankers near Bahraini and Kuwaiti ports that they would be targeted if crews did not immediately leave their vessels.