U.S. Forces Strike Three Iranian-Linked Tankers in Gulf of Oman

A third ship was disabled when an F/A-18 Super Hornet fired several rounds from a 20mm cannon gun into its rudder. Video showed thick black smoke rising from the vessels after the strikes.

U.S. Central Command said American forces stopped them. S. has roughly 15,000 troops enforcing the blockade, which took effect on April 13. American forces are currently preventing more than 70 tankers from entering or leaving Iranian ports.

Those prevented tankers have the capacity to transport over 166 million barrels of Iranian oil worth an estimated $13 billion-plus. The strikes followed a series of Iranian actions in recent days.

U.S. Warships in the strait on Thursday evening. S. ” On Monday, Iran attacked a Chinese-owned oil products tanker near the Strait of Hormuz off the United Arab Emirates coast.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian acknowledged the attack on Friday. Lin Jian said Beijing would continue pushing for peace talks and de-escalation. Lin Jian said China is deeply concerned that a large number of vessels along with their crew have been caught in the conflict and stranded in the strait.

Also on Friday, Iran seized a Barbados-flagged tanker called the Ocean Koi that was carrying Iranian oil in the Gulf of Oman. U.S. The vessel was stopped and forced back to the southern coast of Iran, according to the Islamic Republic’s army.

U.S. launched Project Freedom to escort ships through the strait on Monday. President Trump called off Project Freedom on Tuesday following requests by Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and other countries.

Trump wrote on Truth Social that while the blockade will remain in full force and effect, Project Freedom will be paused for a short period of time to see whether or not the Agreement can be finalized and signed. CENTCOM commander Adm.

U.S. Would continue enforcing the maritime blockade. Adm. S. forces in the Middle East remain committed to full enforcement of the blockade of vessels entering or leaving Iran. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen.

Dan Caine said this week that the Iranian regime is led by the IRGC. Gen. Dan Caine said the IRGC are effectively attempting to hold the entire global economy hostage. S. was still awaiting a response from Iran to its latest peace deal talk offer.

The Trump administration has blamed competing factions in Iran, particularly the rising influence of the IRGC, for slowing mediation efforts. Sources familiar with the talks have told The Post that Iran’s military leadership holds power over whether to accept any agreement.

““One faction there right now is at its highest point ever in its history — the IRGC.” — source familiar with mediation efforts, via The Post The internal power struggle between pro-war and pro-deal factions in Tehran has complicated negotiations even as the fragile cease-fire holds. Regional sources indicated that nationalist sentiment during conflict has elevated the IRGC’s position, giving hardline elements greater sway over any final deal.”