U.S. Navy F/A-18 Strikes Funnel of Iranian Tanker SEA STAR III in Gulf of Oman
A U.S. Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet launched from the USS George H.W. Bush struck the funnel of the National Iranian Tanker Company VLCC supertanker SEA STAR III on May 8, 2026. The incident occurred at coordinates 25.63345, 57.92449. @TankerTrackers reported the details of the vessel and strike.
theaviationist.comU.S. Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet fired at the funnel of the VLCC supertanker SEA STAR III on May 8, 2026. W. Bush, which carries the hull designation CVN 77.
92449 in waters off Iran. The vessel is the SEA STAR III, which has IMO number 9569205. It is operated by the National Iranian Tanker Company, also known as NITC.
@TankerTrackers reported that the National Iranian Tanker Company operates the SEA STAR III and detailed the strike on its funnel by the aircraft from the carrier. U.S. naval aviation and an Iranian-operated oil tanker in the region.
No information was provided on the extent of damage to the SEA STAR III or any injuries aboard. The precise motive for the strike was not detailed in available reporting. The National Iranian Tanker Company has long operated vessels such as the SEA STAR III to transport crude oil.
The company maintains the SEA STAR III in its fleet, according to tracking data. @TankerTrackers has monitored the movements of such tankers for years. This event comes amid heightened tensions in waters near the Strait of Hormuz, though specific context for the May 8 action remains limited to the reported coordinates and participants.
W. Bush has operated in the broader region as part of routine naval deployments. The F/A-18 Super Hornet conducted the strike while operating from the carrier deck.
Key Facts
Story Timeline
2 events- 2026-05-08
U.S. Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet from USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) fires at funnel of SEA STAR III at coordinates 25.63345, 57.92449
1 source@TankerTrackers - 2026-05-11
@TankerTrackers publishes details on the May 8 incident involving National Iranian Tanker Company vessel
1 source@TankerTrackers
Potential Impact
- 01
Potential escalation of naval tensions between the U.S. and Iran in the Gulf of Oman
- 02
Possible disruption to Iranian oil export operations using NITC tankers
Transparency Panel
Related Stories
ibtimes.comSEC Chair Paul Atkins Says Congress Will Pass Crypto Legislation
SEC Chair Paul Atkins stated he is confident Congress will pass crypto market structure legislation. He added that President Trump will sign the bill into law.
asiaone.comIran Says Strait of Hormuz Management Belongs to Iran and Oman
Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesperson stated that control of the Strait of Hormuz must be decided solely by Iran and Oman. The spokesperson also said no agreement has been reached with the United States and that current focus remains on ending the war.
cnbc.comFed Official Highlights Regulatory Barriers to AI Productivity Gains
A Federal Reserve official stated that productivity growth remains key to economic expansion and that regulatory hurdles are the main obstacle to sustained gains from artificial intelligence.