The conflict between the United States and Iran has entered another dangerous phase after both sides carried out new attacks. The US military said it attacked five Iranian oil tankers on Tuesday. According to US Central Command, the tankers were connected to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and were part of a large network used to generate money for the IRGC and groups supported by Iran. Four of the tankers were attacked in the Gulf of Oman, while another tanker was targeted near Kharg Island, an important Iranian oil-exporting centre in the Persian Gulf. Kharg Island is extremely important to Iran’s economy because a large majority of the country’s crude oil exports pass through the island. The latest US attack therefore targeted an important part of Iran’s oil trade. The US said the strikes were carried out after Iran twice attempted to attack a US Navy warship during the previous two days. According to US officials, Iran used ballistic missiles, but the American warship managed to avoid being hit. The US also said that no American military personnel were injured. Iran responded with another missile attack, this time targeting a US military base in Jordan. Jordanian authorities said Iran launched 20 missiles toward the country. Jordan’s air defence forces reportedly intercepted 18 missiles, while two landed in areas where there were no people. There were no immediate reports of major casualties from the attack. The Iranian attack shows that the conflict is spreading beyond the immediate US-Iran confrontation and is putting other countries in the region under greater pressure. Iran has also issued a warning to ships connected to the United States. The IRGC Navy reportedly told oil tanker crews near ports in Kuwait and Bahrain to leave their vessels because they could become targets. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio defended the American strikes, saying Iran continues to try to attack US naval forces. He warned that the US would continue responding by targeting Iranian oil tankers. The latest attacks follow another US strike on 5 September, when American forces targeted three Iranian oil tankers after Iran reportedly attempted to attack a US aircraft carrier and a guided-missile destroyer. The situation has caused concern in global energy markets. Oil prices increased after the latest attacks because traders fear that further fighting could disrupt oil supplies from the Gulf region. The latest exchange of attacks marks a major escalation after several weeks of relative calm. Both Washington and Tehran are now warning of further retaliation, raising fears that the conflict could become even wider and threaten shipping, oil supplies and US military bases across the Middle East.