US strikes 5 Iranian oil tankers; Tehran targets Jordan base, warships — Pajhwok

KABUL (Pajhwok): The United States has attacked five Iranian oil tankers in the Gulf of Oman and near Kharg Island after accusing Tehran of twice launching ballistic missiles at a US warship in two days. Al Jazeera reported that Iran responded to Tuesday’s attacks by firing missiles at US forces stationed at the Al Azraq base in Jordan. Tehran also claimed attacks on at least two US vessels and eight tankers in the region, saying the strikes caused “great damage”. The latest exchange of fire comes amid escalating tensions in the Gulf, six months into the US and Israel’s war on Iran. Tehran has closed the Strait of Hormuz, while Washington is enforcing a naval blockade of Iranian ports. The hostilities pushed oil prices to $99.49 a barrel in early trading on Wednesday. In a statement late Tuesday, the US Central Command (CENTCOM) said Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) had attempted to target a US warship twice over the previous two days, but the vessel “successfully evaded the attempted Iranian attacks”. “No American personnel were harmed,” CENTCOM said. The US military said it subsequently struck and destroyed four Iranian oil carriers — M/T Kaviz, M/T Charminar, M/T Horizon 1 and M/T Riesco — in the Gulf of Oman, and M/T Derya near Kharg Island. “American forces directed the crews…