By Ronnie Harui and Megan Cheah
Oil prices rose in Asia on Wednesday amid continuing Middle East tensions that could keep supply disruptions in the region elevated.
The U.S. Central Command said in a post on its official X account that American forces successfully defeated Iranian ballistic missiles and drones, and carried out self-defense strikes on Qeshm Island in response to attempted attacks by Iran across the Middle East.
Iran had launched several ballistic missiles toward its neighbors in the region, but all failed to hit their intended targets, Central Command said. Two Iranian missiles fired at Kuwait fell short or broke apart en route, and three missiles launched at Bahrain were intercepted by U.S. and Bahrain air defense forces, Central Command added.
The exchange of attacks could complicate continuing U.S.-Iran negotiations to end the conflict and might put at risk the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. The strait is a critical waterway through which one-fifth of the world's oil is typically transported.
