Tehran claims its largest wave of attacks on shipping since the war began, while U.S. forces report destroying five Iranian oil carriers in retaliation.
Key facts
- •Brent crude prices hit $100 per barrel on Wednesday for the first time since July.
- •The U.S. destroyed five Iranian oil carriers near Kharg Island and the Gulf of Oman.
- •Israel gave the UK 30 days to close its consulate in East Jerusalem.
- •Houthi rebels accused Saudi-backed forces of conducting 54 overnight airstrikes.
- •One person was killed on the Hercules Star during the recent shipping attacks.
Tehran claimed on Wednesday to have carried out its largest wave of attacks on shipping since the start of the war, targeting 10 vessels near the Strait of Hormuz. In response to failed ballistic missile attacks on a U.S. Navy warship, U.S. Central Command reported destroying five Iranian oil carriers in the Gulf of Oman and near Kharg Island. The escalation has caused global crude prices to surge, with Brent crude briefly reaching $100 per barrel on Wednesday.
By the numbers
Maritime Escalation and Market Impact
Iran stated it attacked two U.S. ships and eight oil vessels, while also firing ballistic missiles at a U.S.-used military base in Jordan. At least one person was killed on the Gibraltar-flagged Hercules Star. Despite U.S. claims that all Iranian attacks on its military vessels failed, market concerns persist. West Texas Intermediate crude prices have risen 41 percent since the conflict began, and diesel costs have increased by more than 55 percent.
Diplomatic Tensions Between Israel and the UK
Israel has ordered the United Kingdom to close its consulate in East Jerusalem within 30 days. This follows London’s announcement of trade restrictions on Israel, including a ban on goods from the occupied West Bank. Israel also barred 12 British politicians from entry, expelled British officials from the West Bank and Gaza, and prohibited the UK from training Palestinian Authority security forces.
Regional Conflict and Space Strategy
In Yemen, Houthi rebels reported 54 Saudi-backed airstrikes across six provinces, following a Houthi missile and drone attack on Saudi Arabia that injured over 70 people. Separately, France and Germany opened a space summit in Paris, though the event faced low turnout and disagreements over European autonomy versus reliance on U.S.-based companies like SpaceX.
Timeline
- FridayIran began launching ballistic missiles at U.S. Navy destroyers, an aircraft carrier, and a Marine ship.
- TuesdayU.S. Central Command destroyed five Iranian oil carriers in the Gulf of Oman and near Kharg Island.
- WednesdayTehran claimed its largest wave of attacks on shipping and Israel ordered the UK to close its consulate.
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This article was independently rewritten by ManyPress editorial AI from reporting originally published by Foreign Policy.
