US strikes five Iranian oil tankers, as Iran attacks 10 ships, Jordan base - Al Jazeera

**U.S. Strikes Five Iranian Oil Tankers Amid Rising Tensions** The U.S. Central Command confirmed that on Thursday night it launched precision strikes against five Iranian‑flagged oil tankers that were reportedly transporting fuel for the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). The attacks, carried out by uncrewed aerial systems and missile fire from naval vessels in the Gulf of Oman, were described by the Pentagon as a direct response to a recent IRGC warship assault on a U.S.‑linked commercial vessel. No American casualties were reported, and the U.S. said the tankers were disabled without loss of life among their crews.

**Iran Responds with a Wave of Maritime and Ground Targets** In a rapid counter‑offensive, Iranian forces claimed to have struck ten merchant ships traversing the Strait of Hormuz and launched a missile barrage that hit a U.S. forward operating base near the Jordanian city of Aqaba. Tehran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the American strikes as “a blatant violation of regional security and international law,” while the IRGC released footage purporting to show the destruction of the Jordan base’s radar installations. Iran also announced that its naval units had engaged vessels it identified as “supporting hostile U.S. operations,” though independent verification of the attacks remains limited.

**Escalation Raises Stakes for Regional Stability** The tit‑for‑tat exchanges mark the most intense naval confrontation between Washington and Tehran since the 2019 Gulf of Oman incidents. Both sides have warned of further escalation if the other does not cease “aggressive” actions. Allies in the Gulf Cooperation Council have called for restraint, and the United Nations is reportedly preparing a briefing for the Security Council to assess the risk of a broader conflict that could disrupt global oil supplies. Diplomats stress that back‑channel communications are underway to prevent the spiral from reaching a broader battlefield.