US and Iran exchange attacks on ships near Strait of Hormuz, escalating conflict and driving oil prices above $100

Iran announced it attacked 10 ships near the Strait of Hormuz in retaliation for the United States sinking five Iranian oil tankers, marking the most significant escalation in shipping attacks since the six-month-old war began. These attacks have pushed oil prices above $100 a barrel for the first time since July. One seafarer was killed, and another is missing. Iran also claimed to have fired ballistic missiles at a U.S. military base in Jordan, which Jordan intercepted. The Revolutionary Guard warned of further escalation and plans for a larger maritime exclusion zone, raising fresh concerns over global energy supplies and shipping through the critical Strait of Hormuz.