Iran strikes ships and US base after Washington sinks five oil tankers

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said it struck 10 ships attempting to cross a “prohibited and unsafe” area of the Strait of Hormuz, including two US vessels and eight oil tankers, according to state media. The attacks came just one day after the US military said it sank five Iranian oil tankers in retaliation for two IRGC ballistic missile strikes on a US Navy warship over the previous 48 hours.

The US military’s Central Command released video of the tanker strikes, which it said caused no American casualties. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio told reporters during a visit to Colombia that for every Iranian attempt to hit US naval ships, “they’re going to lose tankers”.

In a separate action, the IRGC launched a ballistic missile attack on a US base near Al Azraq, Jordan. Jordan’s air defences intercepted 18 of 20 missiles, with two falling in unpopulated areas and no casualties reported. A US official described the Iranian strikes as ineffective and said all American troops were accounted for.

Oil prices extended gains in early trade on Wednesday, with Brent crude nearing $US100 a barrel for the first time since July, driven by market fears over disruption to tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz. The waterway carries about a fifth of the world’s oil supplies.

The escalation also saw Iran threaten oil tankers in Kuwaiti and Bahraini ports, and a maritime security source reported that an LNG tanker was damaged in the Emirati port of Khor Fakkan, though responsibility was unclear. Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthis have added to supply concerns with recent attacks on Saudi oil facilities.

Why This Matters

The Strait of Hormuz is a chokepoint for roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil, and this round of tit-for-tat strikes makes the waterway effectively contested, threatening global supply chains.
Brent crude breaching $US100 a barrel risks feeding higher inflation and consumer prices worldwide, with oil-importing nations most exposed.
The IRGC’s use of ballistic missiles against a US base in Jordan — and Jordan’s success in intercepting 18 of 20 — highlights the expanding geographic scope of the conflict beyond maritime zones.

Background

The six-month-old US-Iran war has centred on control of the Strait of Hormuz, with Iran trying to close the waterway and Washington enforcing a blockade of Iranian ports. Iran has also repeatedly struck US assets and allies in the region, including in Jordan, where a July strike killed two US military personnel. The US struck five Iranian tankers after the IRGC targeted a US warship twice with ballistic missiles. Iran’s latest response — attacking ships and a Jordanian base — marks the sharpest escalation in weeks, breaking a period of relative stalemate.

Key Perspectives

[United States]: The US portrays its tanker strikes as proportionate self-defence against repeated IRGC attacks on its warships. Washington insists it will keep the Strait open and has shown no interest in de-escalation. [Iran]: Iran frames its actions as defending sovereignty against a blockade and retaliation for the destruction of its oil tankers. It has declared areas of the Strait prohibited and has threatened tankers in Kuwaiti and Bahraini ports. [Jordan]: Jordan is drawn into the conflict as a host for US forces. Its successful interception of most Iranian missiles limits damage but exposes the kingdom to further retaliation. [Global markets]: Oil prices above $100 a barrel reflect fears of prolonged disruption. Traders are watching whether the US or Iran blinks first, or whether the Houthi strikes on Saudi Arabia compound supply risks.

What to Watch

Whether Iran targets additional US naval vessels or attacks Kuwaiti and Bahraini ports as threatened.
The response from the US military — will Washington strike more Iranian tankers or shift to Iranian missile sites?
Oil price trajectory: sustained $US100+ crude could trigger an emergency OPEC+ meeting or release of strategic petroleum reserves.
Jordan’s role — whether Iran escalates against Jordanian infrastructure directly, or whether Jordan increases its air defence cooperation with the US.

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