U.S. says it destroyed five Iran oil tankers after attacks on American warship

Washington – U.S. forces destroyed five Iranian oil carriers on Tuesday after Tehran launched ballistic missiles at an American warship twice in recent days, the U.S. military said. Central Command said in a statement, adding the strikes were “in response to Iran’s most recent failed attacks.” While the missiles didn’t hit the U.S. vessel, the attacks prompted the U.S. military to strike targets near the strategically crucial oil export hub of Kharg Island and the port city of Jask, spooking energy markets and raising fears of dramatic new escalation in the Iran war.