The US military struck five Iranian tankers on Tuesday, sinking one, after Iran fired ballistic missiles at a US Navy warship, in a fresh escalation of fighting in the Middle East.
The attacks prompted a significant retaliation from Iran, which launched a missile barrage toward regional US ally Jordan, saying it was targeting US military assets.
Four crude oil carriers in the Gulf of Oman and one near Kharg Island –– a hub for Iranian oil exports in the Persian Gulf –– were struck on Tuesday, US Central Command (CENTCOM) said.
One of the ships, identified as the M/T Riesco, is seen on fire and sinking in the Gulf of Oman in a video posted to X by the military.
US forces instructed the crews of the vessels they targeted to abandon ship prior to striking, CENTCOM said. Iranian state media said the crew of two vessels have been taken ashore in lifeboats.
