U.S. Strikes Iran as Tanker Attacks Raise Stakes in Strait of Hormuz

By Jasper Ward and Parisa Hafezi

WASHINGTON/DUBAI, Sept 1 (Reuters) – The U.S. launched new air strikes on Iranian targets on Tuesday, quashing hopes that an exchange of fire last weekend might not lead to a wider renewal of hostilities.

Oil prices had already risen after that first exchange of direct attacks since July and after reports of two tankers being hit on Monday leaving the Strait, the global oil supply waterway that Iran has effectively closed to shipping. Brent crude futures LCOc1, already up 2% on the day, jumped almost 2% more on the reports. 

Tehran remained defiant, warning that it would