U.S. Strikes Iran-Flagged Tankers Attempting to Break Naval Blockade
The U.S. military struck two Iran-flagged oil tankers in the Gulf of Oman on Friday, CNBC reported, after the vessels attempted to reach an Iranian port in defiance of an active American naval blockade.
Fighter Jets Disable Tankers in Gulf of Oman
U.S. Central Command said a fighter jet fired precision munitions into the smokestacks of both unladen tankers, disabling them before they could complete their run. CENTCOM released unclassified footage alongside its statement confirming the operation. The incident adds to a string of military confrontations this week that have further strained an already fragile ceasefire between Washington and Tehran.
On Thursday, American and Iranian forces exchanged fire in the Strait of Hormuz. Both governments blamed the other for firing first. President Donald Trump dismissed those clashes to ABC News as “just a love tap,” while separately warning on Truth Social that Iran faces further strikes unless it agrees to a nuclear deal.
The Strait of Hormuz as an Economic Battleground
The Strait of Hormuz, which under normal conditions handles roughly 20% of global oil trade, has become the central arena of the conflict since hostilities broke out on Feb. 28. Iran effectively sealed the waterway following the initial U.S. and Israeli strikes, prompting Washington to impose a blockade on Iranian ports in response.
The sustained disruption to tanker traffic has delivered a significant energy supply shock to world markets. Oil prices have surged since the closure, amplifying inflationary pressures across importing economies and rattling energy-dependent industries globally.
Diplomatic Track Remains Open Despite Escalation
The military strikes arrive at a delicate diplomatic moment. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Friday morning that he anticipates Iran will respond later in the day to a U.S. proposal designed to end the war and establish a framework for nuclear negotiations. Rubio made the remarks in Rome, where he had just concluded a meeting with Pope Leo XIV.
“We’ll see what the response entails,” Rubio told reporters, adding that Washington hopes Tehran’s answer opens the door to serious negotiations. Whether Iran’s reply will halt further military incidents along the blockade line remains the central question hanging over both capitals.
The back-and-forth underscores the precarious nature of the current pause in fighting. Trump has continued to describe the ceasefire as intact even as both sides trade fire in contested waters.
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