LIVE: Middle East Crisis Escalates as US Striking Iranian Oil Tankers Sparks Retaliatory Missile Attacks

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The Middle East has entered a highly volatile phase following a direct military confrontation between US forces and Iran, causing widespread alarm across global diplomatic circles. The US military executed a significant operation at sea, intercepting and neutralising 5 Iranian crude oil tankers. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio issued a stern warning, stating that any aggression against US naval vessels would directly imperil Iran’s oil infrastructure.

Iran’s Rapid Retaliation:

Following the US strikes, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) declared immediate retaliatory measures. Iran launched a wave of ballistic missiles targeting the ‘Al-Azraq’ military facility in Jordan, which hosts US personnel. Tehran further warned that any regional ports in Kuwait or Bahrain facilitating US military assets could face similar actions. Jordanian defense officials confirmed that their air defense systems successfully intercepted 18 out of the 20 incoming missiles.