Iran and US Escalate Attacks as IRGC Targets Ships in Strait of Hormuz

TEHRAN (Terror Monitor) — Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said it had targeted U.S. naval vessels as well as oil tankers and cargo ships in the Strait of Hormuz that it claimed were violating Iranian maritime laws. Iranian officials said the operations were carried out in response to U.S. attacks on five Iranian oil tankers. The claims could not immediately be independently verified.

Fighting between the United States and Iran has once again intensified. The U.S. military said it had targeted five Iranian oil tankers carrying crude oil in response to Iranian attacks, with one of the tankers sinking.

The IRGC said it launched heavy missile attacks against Jordan, a U.S. ally, as part of its initial response. However, Jordan’s official Petra news agency reported that the country’s armed forces intercepted 20 ballistic missiles launched by Iran.

Tensions between the United States and Iran in the Middle East have once again entered a dangerous phase. After remaining relatively limited in recent weeks, direct attacks on military installations, naval vessels and energy infrastructure by both sides have intensified. The escalation has put further pressure on global oil prices, while several countries in the region are reassessing their security and diplomatic measures.

The U.S. military announced on Tuesday that it had destroyed five Iranian oil tankers. U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) also released videos of the strikes. Washington said the operation was conducted after the IRGC attempted twice over two days to target a U.S. warship with ballistic missiles.

The widening scope of attacks by both countries has increased fears that the conflict could spread further. In particular, attacks on energy infrastructure and maritime transportation have raised concerns about global oil supplies and stability in the region.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, speaking to reporters during a visit to Colombia, said, “Iran continues to try to target American warships, and every time they do that or attempt to do that, they’re going to lose more of their oil tankers.”

Following Rubio’s remarks, an IRGC statement carried by Iranian state media said Iran had launched a ballistic missile attack on a base used by U.S. forces near Al-Azraq in Jordan.

Although Iran claimed that its missile attacks caused heavy damage, Jordan said its air defense systems destroyed 18 of the 20 missiles launched by Iran in mid-air, while the remaining two fell in uninhabited areas. Jordanian authorities said there were no casualties.

A U.S. official also said Iran’s attack in Jordan was ineffective and that all U.S. military personnel were safe.

Meanwhile, the IRGC said on Wednesday that it had targeted 10 vessels, including two U.S. ships and eight oil tankers.

Iran has repeatedly targeted U.S. interests and Washington’s allies across the region during the war. It has also carried out several attacks in Jordan, including an attack in July that killed at least two U.S. military personnel.

According to Iranian state media, Tehran has also threatened oil tankers in the ports of Kuwait and Bahrain. Meanwhile, a maritime security source said an LNG tanker carrying liquefied natural gas was damaged at the UAE port of Khorfakkan, although it was unclear who was responsible for the incident.