Key facts
- Oil prices increased as Iran launched missiles targeting U.S. military assets in Jordan.
- U.S. forces destroyed five Iranian oil tankers linked to Iran's Revolutionary Guards Corps.
- Jordan's air defense systems intercepted 18 of 20 missiles fired by Iran.
- Iran warned of further strikes on U.S. ships in Kuwaiti and Bahraini ports.
- The escalation follows tit-for-tat strikes between the U.S. and Iran over oil tankers and warships.
Oil prices surged in early trading as Iran launched missiles at U.S. assets in Jordan, escalating regional conflict. U.S. Central Command stated that U.S. forces struck five Iranian tankers linked to Iran's Revolutionary Guards Corps in the Gulf of Oman and near Kharg Island. Jordan's air defence systems intercepted 18 of 20 missiles fired from Iran, with the remainder falling in unpopulated areas. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned Iran of further strikes on U.S. ships in response to attempted attacks on U.S. naval vessels. The tit-for-tat strikes follow a period of relative calm after months of escalation.