Iran has stepped up military action against the United States after American forces destroyed five Iranian oil tankers, with the latest strikes adding to tensions around the Strait of Hormuz. Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed it attacked 20 US-linked vessels attempting to pass through the waterway. The Guards also said they launched missiles at the Al-Azraq US air base in Jordan, describing the attack as retaliation for the destruction of the Iranian tankers.
Iranian state media reported that the strikes damaged areas used for aircraft maintenance, deployment and fighter-jet shelters. Jordan’s military said it intercepted 18 Iranian missiles targeting its territory.
Iran Threatens Oil Tankers Near Kuwait, Bahrain
Tehran has also warned oil tankers operating near Kuwait and Bahrain to leave the area, saying the vessels could become targets. The warnings come as shipping through the Strait of Hormuz remains severely disrupted. The waterway normally carries around one-fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas supplies, making any prolonged military confrontation there a major threat to energy markets.
The escalation pushed oil prices higher in Asian trading. Brent crude rose to $99.46 a barrel, while US West Texas Intermediate crude reached $94.45.
Why Did Iran Attack US Targets?
The latest escalation followed US military strikes on five Iranian oil tankers. The US said its forces ordered the crews to abandon the vessels before destroying them. Washington linked the action to Iranian attacks against American naval assets. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned that Iran could face further losses if it continued targeting US warships.
Iranian officials had previously threatened to attack American military installations across the region if Washington targeted its oil shipments.
Strait Of Hormuz Remains At Centre Of Conflict
The strategic waterway has become one of the main flashpoints in the conflict. Iran has asserted control over shipping through the strait since the war began in February and requires vessels to obtain permission and pay transit fees to pass, according to Iranian claims.
The IRGC also said it recently seized an American unmanned submarine drone in the waterway. The US military said the vehicle had malfunctioned and was an older model without sensitive information. Iranian state television has additionally claimed that its forces targeted two US destroyers with ballistic missiles. The US military had not immediately confirmed the claim.
US-Iran Conflict Enters New Phase
The latest exchanges indicate that the conflict is increasingly centred on US military forces, Iranian oil exports and control of the Strait of Hormuz. With Iran threatening shipping and Washington targeting Iranian tankers, further attacks could put additional pressure on global oil supplies and raise the risk of a wider regional confrontation.
