The US military struck five Iranian oil tankers after the IRGC targeted a US warship twice in two days, with Iran retaliating against a US base in Jordan as oil prices neared $100 a barrel.
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Key facts
- The US military said it struck five Iranian oil tankers.
- The strikes followed the IRGC targeting a US warship twice in two days.
- Iran targeted a US base in Jordan in retaliation.
- Oil prices edged closer to $100 a barrel amid the escalation.
The United States military said it destroyed five Iranian oil tankers after Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) targeted a US warship twice in two days, according to Al Jazeera.
The exchange marks a sharp escalation in tit-for-tat strikes between Washington and Tehran. The US said its action against the tankers came in direct response to the IRGC’s targeting of the American warship.
In retaliation, Iran targeted a US base in Jordan, according to Al Jazeera, widening the confrontation beyond the immediate naval clashes.
The escalation rattled energy markets. Oil prices edged closer to $100 a barrel after the intensification of strikes between the two countries, the BBC reported.
The reporting indicates a rapid cycle of retaliation, with the initial attacks on the US warship prompting the strikes on the tankers, which in turn preceded Iran’s targeting of the base in Jordan.
The sources did not provide figures on casualties or further details about the condition of the vessels, the warship or the base.
Why it matters
A direct military exchange between the US and Iran raises the risk of a broader regional conflict and threatens global energy supplies. With oil prices approaching $100 a barrel, the escalation could push up fuel costs for consumers worldwide.
Frequently asked questions
Why did the US strike the Iranian oil tankers?
According to Al Jazeera, the US military said it struck the five Iranian tankers after the IRGC targeted a US warship twice in two days.
How did Iran respond?
Iran targeted a US base in Jordan in retaliation, according to Al Jazeera.
What has the effect been on oil prices?
The BBC reported that oil prices edged closer to $100 a barrel following the escalation in strikes between the US and Iran.
Timeline
- US strikes Iranian oil tankers as Tehran targets American base in Jordan
BBC World: Oil prices edged closer to $100 a barrel after an escalation in the tit-for-tat strikes between the US and Iran.
- US strikes 5 Iranian oil tankers; Tehran targets Jordan base, US warships
Al Jazeera: US military says it struck the five Iranian tankers after the IRGC targeted a US warship twice in two days.