US Military Fires on Iranian Oil Tanker Amid Trump Ultimatum
The US military fired on an Iranian-flagged oil tanker on Wednesday, shortly after President Donald Trump issued a fresh ultimatum to Tehran, demanding it accept a deal to end the war or face a new wave of US bombing at a significantly higher intensity. The tanker was attempting to breach the US naval blockade of Iranian ports when a US fighter disabled its rudder with several rounds, according to US Central Command.
Trump's warning came via his Truth Social platform, where he stated that if Iran does not agree to the terms, the bombing campaign known as 'Epic Fury' would resume at a much higher level. This rapid shift in policy follows unconfirmed reports of progress in stalled negotiations between Washington and Tehran.
Iranian Negotiator Remains Defiant
Iran's chief negotiator, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, responded defiantly, accusing Washington of seeking Tehran's surrender through the naval blockade and other means. Earlier reports from Axios suggested that both sides were close to agreeing on a one-page memorandum of understanding to end hostilities.
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