US-Iran war LIVE updates: Saudi Arabia issues emergency warning for Khamis Mushait, Abha | Today’s news
US-Iran War LIVE Updates: Iran said on Wednesday it attacked 10 ships near the Strait of Hormuz after the US sank five Iranian oil tankers, marking the biggest wave of attacks on shipping by either side since the start of the six-month-old war.
The attacks pushed oil prices above $100 a barrel, with Brent crude futures settling at $101.21, up 3.4%. At least one sailor was killed on board the tanker, while another was reported missing.
Iran also said it fired ballistic missiles at a US military base in Jordan. Jordan said it intercepted 18 missiles, while two landed harmlessly in unpopulated areas. A US official said all US troops were responsible.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) warned it would sharply escalate its response to any further attacks and said Iran would soon release maps of a new, expanded maritime no-go zone that stretches as far as Khabahar near Pakistan.
According to the US, five Iranian oil tankers were destroyed
The US military said it destroyed five Iranian oil tankers overnight and released video showing the ships burning before they sank. US Central Command said the attacks were in response to the IRGC twice targeting a US Navy warship with ballistic missiles.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio defended the attacks, saying Iran would lose tankers whenever it tried to attack US naval vessels.
Ship attacks disrupt the Strait of Hormuz
Iran said it fired on two US ships and eight tankers in response. The UK Maritime Trade Operation (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.
One sailor was killed aboard the Hercules Star oil tanker while at anchor off Dubai, while another crew member remains missing, the vessel’s charter Peninsula said.
Two Iraqi port officials said the tanker New Andros, which was carrying 2 million barrels of fuel oil, caught fire after it was hit by a drone in Iraqi waters. No casualties were reported among the 22 crew members.
Brent crude crosses $100 amid ship attacks
Brent crude futures topped $100 a barrel on Wednesday, settling at their highest level since May 22. Brent settled up $3.29, or 3.4%, at $101.21 a barrel in the first month after touching $101.58.
U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude settled at $96.05 a barrel, up $3.02, or 3.25%.
Trump says Iran is trying to influence US midterms
President Donald Trump has said Tehran is trying to influence November’s US midterm elections, which will determine whether his Republican Party retains control of Congress.
“I think the war will end immediately after the election because they can’t take it any longer. They are desperate to influence the election,” Trump told reporters.
The Wall Street Journal later reported that top White House advisers, including Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, had privately warned Trump that the conflict could continue for the rest of his presidency, which ends in January 2029.
