finance
U.S. Strikes Two Iran-Flagged Oil Tankers in Gulf of Oman
U.S. Central Command said a Navy fighter jet disabled two unladen Iran-flagged tankers attempting to breach a naval blockade by firing precision munitions into their smokestacks on Friday. The action follows exchanges of fire in the Strait of Hormuz the previous day that both sides blamed on the other. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said he expects an Iranian response later Friday to a U.S.
May 8, 11:05 AM·3m read4 sources
SE+1
CnbcAudio version
Tap play to generate a narrated version.
U.S. Central Command announced Friday that a Navy fighter jet disabled two Iran-flagged oil tankers in the Gulf of Oman after the vessels attempted to enter an Iranian port in violation of a U.S. naval blockade. The jet fired precision munitions into the ships' smokestacks, according to a statement that included unclassified video of the strikes.
Post by @sentdefender on X
The tankers were unladen at the time. The operation, which occurred hours after renewed exchanges in the Strait of Hormuz, marks the latest military action this week that has strained a month-old ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran. President Donald Trump has described recent U.S. strikes as a "love tap" while insisting the temporary truce remains in effect and threatening further bombing if Iran does not agree to reopen the strait and roll back its nuclear program.
U.S. forces intercepted Iranian attacks on three Navy ships in the Strait of Hormuz late Thursday and targeted Iranian military facilities responsible for the assault, officials said. No U.S. vessels were hit. Iranian state media reported exchanges of fire with "the enemy" on Qeshm Island and described defensive activity in western Tehran.
Iran's Foreign Ministry condemned the U.S. strikes on the tankers near the port of Jask and on nearby coastal areas as a "clear violation" of the ceasefire. " The violence unfolded as Washington awaited Tehran's response to a proposal that would end the war and open the way for nuclear negotiations.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio told reporters he expects to hear from Iran later Friday. "I hope it's a serious offer," he said. " Rubio added that it is "unacceptable" for Iran to maintain a government agency that vets and taxes ships passing through the strait.
