U.S. military destroys 5 Iranian oil tankers. And, the Smithsonian head resigns

On Tuesday, the U.S. military destroyed five more Iranian oil tankers in retaliation for recent attacks on American warships, according to Pentagon officials. This follows earlier strikes that led to Iran launching missiles toward targets in Jordan, where Jordanian military claimed to have intercepted 18 ballistic missiles, with two falling in uninhabited areas. Jordan, a U.S. ally, hosts American forces, making it a frequent target of Iranian strikes.

U.S. Central Command, however, had no information to provide on the matter. Iran's military released video on Wednesday showing missiles and drones launched towards U.S. vessels and oil tankers, in response to the latest U.S. attack on five Iranian oil tankers. This escalation is part of President Donald Trump's strategy to end the ongoing war through an economic and military approach.

On Tuesday, the U.S. also imposed sanctions on additional elements of Iran's aviation industry, targeting over two dozen commercial and private airlines as well as foreign cargo service providers. Both nations are competing for control over the Strait of Hormuz, where about one-fifth of global oil passes. The rising energy prices are causing political problems for Trump's party ahead of the November midterms.

On Saturday, the U.S. destroyed three Iranian oil tankers after Iran's Revolutionary Guards attempted to attack a U.S. aircraft carrier and destroyer with ballistic missiles, threatening to "if necessary, destroy Iran's limited and exposed oil fleet." Iran later announced plans to establish a new "exclusion zone" near the Strait of Hormuz targeting vessels attempting to pass through.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that the U.S. will not tolerate Iran's attacks on naval ships, warning that each such incident will result in the loss of Iranian tankers.

Iranian expert Danny Citrinowicz from Israel's Institute for National Security Studies cautioned that such retaliatory strikes could lead to further escalation and economic turmoil. The U.S. Central Command reported that the tankers destroyed on Tuesday were the Kivik, Charminar, Horizon 1, and Riesco in the Gulf of Oman, and the Derya near Kharg Island in the Strait of Hormuz. The crews of these vessels were ordered to abandon ship prior to the attacks.

Iranian state television broadcast reports of U.S. strikes on Iranian oil tankers near the southern port of Jask and Kharg Island in the Persian Gulf, stating that the crews were evacuated. Iran's Revolutionary Guard Navy had previously warned crews of oil tankers near Kuwait and Bahrain ports to leave their vessels immediately, accusing both countries of hosting U.S. forces and aiding in the attacks.