Global oil prices have risen above the 100-dollar-per-barrel mark for the first time since late July, following an escalation in hostilities between the United States and Iran.

Brent crude, the international benchmark, climbed to about 101 dollars and 20 cents per barrel, gaining more than three per cent, while US West Texas Intermediate traded near 96 dollars a barrel.

The surge followed a fresh exchange of military attacks in the Middle East, raising concerns that further conflict could disrupt global crude supplies.

The United States Central Command said American forces destroyed five Iranian crude oil carriers, four in the Gulf of Oman and another near Kharg Island.

The action came after Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps reportedly launched ballistic missile attacks on a US Navy warship. Iran later retaliated with ballistic missiles targeting US forces at Jordan's Al-Azraq Air Base.

Jordan's Armed Forces said 18 of the 20 missiles were intercepted, while the remaining two landed in unpopulated areas, with no casualties reported.