US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the United States would continue targeting Iranian oil tankers if Iranian forces make further attempts to attack US Navy vessels, according to remarks made during a visit to Colombia.
The comments came as several developments were reported across the region, including an Iranian missile attack targeting Jordan, US strikes on Iranian oil tankers, and discussions involving South Korea and France over security and navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump Comments on German State Election
US President Donald Trump described the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party’s performance in a German state election as a major victory for the country’s populist movement.
“Wow! The Populist Party in Germany just had a really big night,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform.
Trump also criticized Germany’s “absolutely horrible Immigration rules.” The AfD, which has expressed opposition to Germany’s immigration policies, won the election in the eastern state of Saxony-Anhalt.
Jordan Reports Iranian Missile Attack
Jordanian air defenses intercepted 18 of 20 ballistic missiles launched from Iranian territory, according to Jordan’s state news agency, citing the country’s armed forces.
The remaining two missiles landed in unpopulated areas, and authorities reported no casualties.
Jordanian authorities said monitoring and assessment efforts were continuing following the attack.
Rubio Says US Will Continue Targeting Iranian Tankers
Rubio said the United States would respond to further Iranian attempts to strike American naval vessels by targeting additional Iranian oil tankers.
“Iran continues to try to hit US naval ships, and for every time they do that or try to do that, they’re going to lose tankers,” Rubio told reporters during a visit to Colombia.
His remarks followed a US announcement that American forces had destroyed five Iranian oil tankers.
US Military Says Five Iranian Tankers Were Destroyed
US Central Command said American forces struck five Iranian oil tankers after Iran targeted a US Navy warship with ballistic missiles on two occasions in recent days.
CENTCOM said the American vessel “successfully evaded the attempted Iranian attacks and continued to patrol regional waters. No American personnel were harmed.”
The US military described the tanker strikes as a response to the attempted attacks on the American warship.
Iran Warns Tanker Crews
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy warned crews aboard oil tankers near ports in Kuwait and Bahrain to leave their vessels, saying the ships could be targeted in response to US strikes on Iranian tankers.
The warning was broadcast by Iranian state television. Iranian authorities accused Kuwait and Bahrain of hosting US forces and assisting in the American attacks.
The IRGC told tanker crews to leave their vessels whether they were anchored or docked, warning that the ships “will be targeted.”
Iranian Missiles Intercepted Over Jordan
Video footage filmed from Israel showed Iranian missiles being intercepted over Jordan following the Iranian attack.
The missile launches came after the reported US strikes on Iranian oil tankers. At the time of the report, there were no immediate reports of injuries or damage resulting from the missile barrage.
South Korea Clarifies Talks on Strait of Hormuz
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung discussed the Strait of Hormuz with French President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday.
South Korea’s presidential office said the discussions concerned possible contributions to international efforts to maintain security and freedom of navigation in the waterway, rather than a potential deployment of South Korean troops.
National security adviser Wi Sung-lac said South Korea’s review of a possible role in those efforts was not connected to US investment discussions.
He also said Iran had requested clarification regarding reports about a possible South Korean role.
Continued Military Exchanges
The latest developments follow a series of military actions involving the United States and Iran, including attacks involving naval vessels, oil tankers and ballistic missiles.
US officials have described the strikes on Iranian tankers as responses to attempted attacks on American naval forces. Iran’s Revolutionary Guard has warned of possible retaliation against vessels in the region.
The developments come as regional governments continue monitoring the situation and assessing potential risks to shipping and security around the Strait of Hormuz.