Iran and US hit tankers in biggest wave of attacks on shipping since war began - Reuters
A coordinated series of strikes by Iran and the United States has produced the fiercest wave of tanker attacks since the war began, prompting a reported Iranian capture of an unmanned U.S. submarine. The confrontations have pushed oil prices above $100 a barrel and sparked a broader escalation that includes a missile strike on a U.S. base in Jordan.
AI Objective Summary
A coordinated series of strikes by Iran and the United States has produced the fiercest wave of tanker attacks since the war began, prompting a reported Iranian capture of an unmanned U.S. submarine. The confrontations have pushed oil prices above $100 a barrel and sparked a broader escalation that includes a missile strike on a U.S. base in Jordan.
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**Iran and U.S. Trade Blows in the Largest Wave of Shipping Attacks Since the Conflict Began**
The latest surge of maritime hostilities in the Strait of Hormuz and the Red Sea marks the most intensive period of attacks on commercial vessels since the regional war erupted in late 2023. According to Reuters, Iranian forces and U.S. naval units each launched strikes on oil tankers over a 48‑hour window, with five tankers reported damaged or sunk after Iranian missile and drone barrages and a separate U.S. operation targeting Iranian‑linked cargo ships. The United Nations maritime security agency confirmed that at least three of the vessels were carrying crude oil, and that the incidents disrupted a key artery for global energy shipments, prompting immediate rerouting of several convoys.
In a development that has heightened tensions further, Iranian state media reported that the Revolutionary Guard captured an unmanned U.S. submarine in the Hormuz corridor shortly after the tanker attacks. NDTV quoted Iranian officials claiming the submersible was remotely piloted and had been operating without a crew, while Al Jazeera noted that independent verification of the capture remains pending. U.S. officials have neither confirmed nor denied the loss, and analysts warn that the claim could be a strategic narrative aimed at showcasing Iranian resolve in the face of escalating U.S. naval pressure.
The wave of aggression has already rippled through global markets. Oil prices surged past $100 a barrel on the back of the attacks, as reported by *The Hindu*, reflecting investor concerns over supply bottlenecks. In a parallel escalation, Iranian missiles struck a U.S. logistical base in Jordan, according to *Telegraph India*, a move Tehran described as retaliation for the destruction of the five oil tankers. Diplomatic channels are now under intense strain, with both sides accusing the other of violating international law and endangering civilian maritime traffic, while calls for de‑escalation grow from the International Maritime Organization and several allied governments.
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