Iran Launches 20 Missiles at Jordan Following US Tanker Strikes

The United States Central Command (CENTCOM) reported that U.S. forces struck five Iranian tankers on September 9th, sinking one, in response to Iran launching ballistic missiles at a U.S. Navy vessel. This exchange escalated tensions, with Iran launching a significant missile barrage targeting U.S. military bases in Jordan. The Jordanian army stated that 20 ballistic missiles were fired from Iran, with air defense systems intercepting 18 and two falling in unpopulated areas. No casualties or damage were reported. CENTCOM later released video footage of the attacks in the Strait of Hormuz and missile interceptions, including the M/T Riesco tanker burning and sinking in the Gulf of Oman. CENTCOM indicated that U.S. forces ordered crews to abandon ships before the strikes. Four other targeted tankers were identified as Kaviz, Charminar, Horizon 1, and Derya, reportedly owned by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and attacked near Khark Island. CENTCOM asserted that Iran lacks the means to protect its vessels. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that Iran would lose tankers for every attack on U.S. Navy ships. Iran subsequently fired missiles at Jordan and threatened to expand its targeting. The IRGC also advised tanker crews near Kuwait and Bahrain to evacuate their vessels, warning they could become targets. The IRGC later claimed to have attacked two U.S. ships, eight tankers, and ten other vessels attempting to cross the Strait of Hormuz, which it declared a "forbidden and unsafe" zone. This follows a September 5th U.S. attack that damaged three Iranian tankers, after the IRGC had launched ballistic missiles toward a U.S. aircraft carrier and destroyer, which managed to evade the strikes. U.S. officials expressed concern about Iran's potential use of advanced weaponry and possible assistance from China or Russia with ship location data. Separately, Iran claimed to have captured a U.S. Navy unmanned submarine near the Strait of Hormuz, releasing photos via the Fars news agency. The U.S. disputed this, with a source telling Reuters it was a disabled, older model unmanned vessel that malfunctioned over 24 hours before Iran's announcement. President Trump had previously threatened a major strike on Iran, and on September 8th, the U.S. imposed sanctions on 27 Iranian airlines and nine service providers accused of supporting Mahan Air, an airline sanctioned since 2011 for allegedly aiding the IRGC.