Share and Follow
In brief
- The US military has struck two Iranian oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz.
- It casts more doubt on a fragile ceasefire between the US and Iran that has been in place for a month.
The United States military engaged in combat with Iranian forces in the Strait of Hormuz, resulting in the disabling of two Iranian oil tankers.
In a related development, the United Arab Emirates has reported being targeted by another round of Iranian missile and drone strikes.
These incidents further strain an already fragile ceasefire, barely a month old, which the US maintains is still active. The US is currently awaiting Iran’s response to a recent proposal aimed at resolving the conflict, reopening the strategic waterway, and addressing concerns over Iran’s nuclear program.
The Iranian foreign ministry has criticized the US actions as aggressive, claiming they breach the ceasefire agreement.
“Whenever a diplomatic resolution is within reach, the US resorts to imprudent military tactics,” Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi expressed on X.
The US military said on Friday, local time, that its forces had disabled two Iranian tankers that were trying to breach a US blockade of Iran’s ports. Hours earlier, the military said it thwarted attacks on three Navy ships and struck Iranian military facilities in the strait.
Iran has mostly blocked the critical waterway for global energy since the US and Israel launched the war on 28 February, causing a global spike in fuel prices and rattling world markets. The US has imposed its own blockade of Iran’s ports.
The US military posted video of the two Iranian tankers as their smokestacks were struck by an American fighter jet on Friday. Earlier in the week, an American military jet shot out the rudder of a tanker the US military said was attempting to breach its blockade.
Late Thursday, the US military said it thwarted Iranian attacks on three Navy ships in the Strait of Hormuz and struck Iranian military facilities in response. It said no American ships were hit.
It comes as US secretary of state Marco Rubio said he hopes to receive “a serious offer” of peace from Iran.
“They threaten Americans, they are going to be blown up,” Rubio told reporters on Friday.
US President Donald Trump has insisted the ceasefire is holding. He also has reiterated threats to resume full-scale bombing if Iran doesn’t accept an agreement to reopen the strait and roll back its nuclear program.
The UAE’s defence ministry, meanwhile, said three people were wounded after air defences engaged two ballistic missiles and three drones launched by Iran. It was not clear if all were successfully intercepted.
For the latest from SBS News, download our app and subscribe to our newsletter.