US Strikes Iranian Oil Tankers Following Missile Attack on American Base in Jordan by Tehran

The United States Central Command (CENTCOM) stated that in response to two missile attacks on American warships by Tehran over the past two days, US forces launched strikes on five Iranian oil tankers. According to CENTCOM, four Iranian oil tankers associated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) located in the Gulf of Oman and another tanker near the main oil terminal on Kharg Island in the Persian Gulf were targeted.

Following Tehran’s missile strikes on the US military base in Jordan, the Jordanian government reported that its air defense systems successfully intercepted 18 of the 20 missiles launched by Iran. Since the initial attacks on Iran on February 28, there has been a marked increase in similar offensives between the US and Israel over the past week. Oil prices rose in early Asian trading: Brent crude benchmark gained 1.5 percent to reach $99.41 per barrel, while US oil futures increased by 1.6 percent to $95.55 per barrel.

A spokesperson for Jordan’s armed forces indicated that during Iran’s missile offensives toward Jordan, two missiles landed in sparsely populated areas. Iran has also issued a warning of further retaliatory attacks, urging tanker crews associated with the United States near the ports of Kuwait and Bahrain to immediately leave, citing threats to their vessels.

Tensions escalated following ballistic missile attacks by Iran targeting US warships in the recent phase. No American military personnel were reported injured in these strikes. The US response targeted the five oil tankers described as part of a “multi-billion dollar shadow network” that financially supports the IRGC and its regional affiliates.