The United States Central Command (Centcom) announced on Thursday that it had struck two Iranian-flagged oil tankers, accusing them of attempting to violate the ongoing US blockade. According to a statement released on social media, the vessels, identified as M/T Sea Star III and M/T Sevda, were targeted on May 8 as they approached an Iranian port on the Gulf of Oman.
Centcom claimed that US forces disabled both tankers by firing precision munitions into their smokestacks. The statement also revealed that a third Iranian-flagged vessel had been disabled earlier in the week. “All three vessels are no longer transiting to Iran,” the command said.
In response, Iran accused the United States of violating the ceasefire by targeting the ships near the Strait of Hormuz and attacking civilian areas. The US, however, insisted that the strikes were carried out in retaliation for the vessels' alleged breach of the blockade.
The incident marks a significant escalation in tensions between the two nations, with the US maintaining a strict naval blockade in the region. The Gulf of Oman and the Strait of Hormuz are critical waterways for global oil shipments, and any disruption there could have far-reaching economic consequences.
Centcom did not provide details on the condition of the crews aboard the tankers, nor did it specify the exact nature of the alleged violation. The Iranian government has not yet issued an official statement regarding the incident, but state media has condemned the US action as an act of aggression.
