Iran deploys electro-optical missiles against US fleet for first time

Iran fired electro-optical missiles at United States naval vessels on Wednesday, targeting 10 ships and launching ballistic missiles at a base in Jordan, according to The Telegraph. The strikes followed US forces destroying five Iranian oil tankers. US Central Command said Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps targeted American warships but confirmed no casualties, adding all attempted attacks failed.

Iranian officials said the missiles carried wadvanced tracking technology, possibly the Qassem Bassir, a medium-range ballistic missile unveiled last year. Iran’s national security chief, Mohsen Rezaei, described a shift from “reactive” to “active deterrence” following the collapse of the Islamabad understanding. Analysts suggest Russia or China may be assisting Iran with satellite tracking. Oil prices surged past $100 a barrel amid escalating regional tensions.