US destroys five Iranian tankers, Iran retaliates with attacks on Jordan - aljazeera.com

**U.S. Strikes Destroy Five Iranian Oil Tankers** Washington announced on Sunday that U.S. naval forces intercepted and destroyed five Iranian‑registered oil tankers in the Gulf of Oman, describing the vessels as “linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and used to fund hostile operations against U.S. interests.” The operation, carried out by carrier‑based aircraft and surface ships, was said to have been conducted under the authority of the U.S. Central Command after intelligence indicated the tankers were preparing to transport petroleum products to locations supporting IRGC‑backed militias in the region. No American casualties were reported, and the U.S. Pentagon released footage of the missile strikes, emphasizing that the action was a defensive measure in response to ongoing Iranian threats.

**Iran Retaliates with Missile Barrage on Jordanian U.S. Installations** Within hours of the maritime attack, Iran’s Revolutionary Guard launched a salvo of short‑range missiles targeting the U.S. forward operating base at the Al‑Karak airfield in Jordan. Jordanian officials confirmed that the rockets struck the perimeter of the base, causing minor structural damage but no loss of life among U.S. or Jordanian personnel. Iranian state media framed the response as “a proportional retaliation” for the U.S. aggression against Iranian assets, while the U.S. Central Command described the missile launch as “unprovoked” and warned that any further attacks would be met with “decisive action.”

**Regional Fallout and Diplomatic Reactions** The rapid escalation has drawn concern from allies and regional partners. Jordan’s foreign ministry condemned the missile strike as a violation of its sovereignty and called for an immediate cease‑fire, urging both Washington and Tehran to resume diplomatic dialogue. The United Nations Secretary‑General appealed for restraint, warning that the tit‑for‑tat could destabilize an already volatile Middle East. European capitals, including Paris and Berlin, have urged both sides to avoid further militarisation and to return to the negotiating table, citing the risk of broader confrontation that could disrupt global oil markets and threaten civilian safety. As the situation develops, intelligence agencies in Washington and Tehran are reportedly assessing the possibility of additional retaliatory measures, while international observers monitor the potential for a wider escalation.