Iran has escalated its response to ongoing US military operations by attacking commercial tankers, according to reports from Handelsblatt.
The move marks a significant shift in the conflict, moving beyond strikes on military infrastructure to directly threatening commercial shipping assets in the region.
The development intensifies risks for global energy supply chains.
With the United States launching its second consecutive day of strikes against targets in Iran, diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the crisis have stalled.
The direct targeting of tankers suggests a potential disruption to oil flows through key chokepoints, likely driving up insurance premiums and freight rates for vessels transiting the Gulf.
Markets are likely to react to the heightened uncertainty.