US strikes 5 Iranian oil tankers; Tehran targets Jordan base, US warships - Al Jazeera

**U.S. Navy destroys five Iranian oil tankers near Kharg Island**

On Tuesday, U.S. Central Command confirmed that a strike team of surface warships and aircraft destroyed five Iranian oil‑tank vessels operating off Kharg Island, the main hub for Iran’s oil export infrastructure. The operation was launched in response to a reported attack by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) on the U.S. Navy destroyer **USS Carney**, which sustained minor damage but no casualties while transiting the Strait of Hormuz. The U.S. statement said the tankers were “identified as vessels engaged in illicit oil transport in support of Iran’s malign activities” and were neutralized to prevent further escalation.

Within hours of the American strike, the IRGC announced a “tit‑for‑tat” response, claiming it had launched a coordinated missile barrage against a U.S.‑operated base in Jordan’s southern desert and against U.S. warships operating in the Red Sea. Jordanian officials confirmed that the base, used for logistics and training by American forces, was struck by a series of projectiles that caused “no injuries” but prompted temporary evacuation of personnel. The U.S. Navy also reported that two of its ships in the Red Sea detected and evaded incoming missiles, with no damage incurred.

The rapid back‑and‑forth marks the sharpest escalation in the region since the early‑2020s, raising concerns over a broader conflict that could disrupt global oil supplies and maritime trade. Washington has warned Tehran that any further attacks on U.S. assets will meet “decisive” retaliation, while Iran’s foreign ministry has accused the United States of “unlawful aggression” and called for a United Nations investigation. Analysts note that the incident could tighten insurance premiums for shipping lanes and push oil prices higher, prompting diplomatic overtures from European and Asian partners aimed at de‑escalating the standoff.