US attacks 5 Iranian oil tankers, Tehran retaliates with strikes on Jordan - aljazeera.com

**U.S. Strikes Five Iranian Oil Tankers After IRGC Assault on Warship**

Washington announced on Friday that the U.S. Navy, operating from the Arabian Sea, destroyed five Iranian oil tankers near Iran’s Kharg Island after the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) launched a missile and drone attack on the U.S. destroyer *USS Theodore Roosevelt*. The Pentagon said the tankers – all registered under Iran’s flag and reportedly carrying crude oil destined for Asian markets – were identified as “direct logistical support” for the IRGC’s maritime operations and were therefore legitimate targets under U.S. rules of engagement. U.S. Central Command released satellite imagery and after‑action footage showing the tankers being hit by precision‑guided munitions, with none of the vessels sustaining a breach that threatened the surrounding marine environment.

In swift retaliation, the IRGC fired a barrage of missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles at the U.S. Al‑Mafraq Air Base in Jordan, a key logistical hub for American forces operating in the region. According to Jordanian officials, the strike caused limited structural damage, injured two U.S. service members and one Jordanian contractor, and prompted an immediate evacuation of non‑essential personnel from the base. Tehran’s Foreign Ministry released a statement warning that any further “aggression against Iranian assets” would be met with “proportionate and decisive” measures, signaling that the confrontation could expand beyond the immediate theater.

The exchange has heightened tensions across the Middle East, drawing concern from regional allies and international bodies. The United Nations Security Council called for “maximum restraint” while the European Union urged both sides to return to diplomatic channels. Washington reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding maritime commerce and protecting its forces, whereas Tehran accused the United States of “illegal aggression” and vowed to protect its sovereign interests. Analysts warn that the tit‑for‑tat attacks risk drawing neighboring states into a broader conflict unless de‑escalation mechanisms are swiftly re‑engaged.