Iran and the United States have launched their biggest wave of attacks on commercial shipping since the war began, with Tehran claiming it struck 10 vessels near the Strait of Hormuz after the US destroyed five Iranian oil tankers.
The escalation has sent fresh shockwaves through global energy markets, pushing Brent crude above $100 per barrel for the first time since July.
The price surge has also pushed the average US diesel price to a new record of more than $5.94 per gallon, adding to concerns about rising transport and energy costs worldwide.
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said on Wednesday that it attacked two US vessels and eight oil tankers attempting to cross an area of the Strait of Hormuz that Tehran had declared off-limits.
The claims came hours after the US military said it had destroyed five Iranian oil tankers.
The US military’s Central Command said the attacks on the tankers were carried out in response to two ballistic missile attacks by Iran’s Revolutionary Guards against a US Navy warship over the previous two days.
The US said no American personnel were injured and released video footage showing some of the Iranian vessels on fire before sinking.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio defended the attacks, warning that Iran would continue to lose tankers if it continued targeting American naval vessels.
Washington has announced a policy of striking Iranian tankers in response to attacks that threaten US warships.
Iran, however, has declared a wider exclusion zone around the Strait of Hormuz and said it is using more advanced missiles against US vessels.
The British maritime security agency UKMTO said it had received reports of several merchant ships being hit by disabling fire in the northern Gulf and Gulf of Oman, on both sides of the Strait of Hormuz.
The agency said it could not immediately confirm whether there were casualties or environmental damage.
A separate vessel was also reported to be listing near Port Rashid in the United Arab Emirates, raising concerns that it may have taken on water after being struck by a projectile.
Iran has also threatened oil tankers at ports in Kuwait and Bahrain. A maritime security source said a liquefied natural gas tanker was damaged at the Emirati port of Khor Fakkan.
The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most important energy routes and previously carried about one-fifth of global oil supplies.
Iran has largely restricted shipping through the waterway since the war began, while the US has imposed a blockade on Iranian ports.
Although Washington says it has helped several tankers navigate the strait, independent monitors say it is becoming increasingly difficult to determine how much oil is still getting through.
Preliminary data showed only six ships had crossed the waterway with their transponders switched on during the previous 24 hours.
Iran launches missiles at US base in Jordan
Iran also launched ballistic missiles at a military base used by US forces near Al Azraq in eastern Jordan.
Iran claimed the attack caused heavy damage, but Jordan said its air defences intercepted 18 of the 20 missiles, while the remaining two landed in unpopulated areas.
Jordan reported no casualties.
A US official also said the Iranian attack was ineffective and confirmed that all American personnel were accounted for.
Iran has previously targeted US military bases in the region during the war, including an attack in Jordan in July that killed at least two US service members.
Fighting spreads to Saudi Arabia
The latest escalation comes as fighting between Saudi Arabia and the Iran-aligned Houthi movement in Yemen intensifies.
The Houthis, who control most of Yemen’s populated areas, launched attacks on four Saudi Arabian cities on Tuesday, triggering large fires at oil installations that were visible from space.
Saudi authorities said 73 people were wounded.
Saudi Arabia issued a security alert for Khamis Mushait on Wednesday, one of the cities targeted the previous day, but later lifted the warning without giving further details.
The fighting has intensified in recent days as a Saudi-backed Yemeni government based in the south launched a multi-front offensive against Houthi-controlled areas.
The Houthis have accused Saudi forces of killing large numbers of people in retaliatory airstrikes.
The widening attacks across the Middle East have increased fears of a prolonged disruption to oil supplies and shipping routes.
With the Strait of Hormuz already severely restricted and fighting spreading to other major energy-producing areas, traders are closely watching whether the conflict will further disrupt crude exports.
Any prolonged disruption could push oil prices higher and increase the cost of petrol, diesel, aviation fuel and other energy products globally.
For countries that depend heavily on imported fuel and other petroleum products, a sustained rise in crude prices could also increase transportation and food costs, while adding fresh pressure to inflation.
