US destroys five Iranian oil tankers as Iran retaliates with missile strike on Jordan

SentiSense · Published Sep 9, 2026, 8:09 AM ET · Updated Sep 9, 2026, 11:56 AM ET

The U.S. military reported destroying five Iranian oil tankers, sinking one, after Iran launched ballistic missiles at a U.S. Navy warship. Iran responded by firing a missile barrage toward a U.S. base in Jordan, intercepting most projectiles. The escalation pushed Brent crude above $100 a barrel, the highest level since July, and limited commercial traffic through the Strait of Hormuz to roughly 5% of pre‑war volumes.

On Tuesday, U.S. forces carried out strikes that destroyed five Iranian oil tankers, including the sinking of the M/T Riesco, in response to what CENTCOM described as attempted IRGC attacks on a U.S. Navy warship . The operation was highlighted in a broader statement that the vessels were part of a shadow network financing the IRGC and its regional proxies.

In a rapid escalation, Iran launched a ballistic missile barrage aimed at a U.S. base in Jordan, claiming the missiles targeted U.S. military assets. According to reports, 18 of the 20 missiles were intercepted, with the remaining two landing in unpopulated areas without casualties .

The twin incidents have already impacted energy markets, with Brent crude breaching the $100 per barrel mark for the first time since July. Analysts note that commercial vessel traffic through the Strait of Hormuz is expected to remain at about five percent of pre‑war levels, with continued suppression through late 2026 even if a ceasefire were reached .

The latest hostilities underscore the volatile security environment in the Middle East and the potential for further disruptions to global oil supply chains. Stakeholders will be monitoring U.S. and Iranian military communications for signs of de‑escalation, as well as the effectiveness of missile defense systems protecting regional allies.

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