US Forces Strike Two Empty Iranian Oil Tankers Central Command Says

The United States military said it carried out strikes on two empty Iranian-flagged oil tankers near the Gulf of Oman as tensions continue to rise in the Middle East. According to U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), the vessels were attempting to violate an ongoing American naval blockade connected to the wider conflict involving Iran and regional security operations. Officials confirmed the ships were disabled before reaching Iranian ports.

CENTCOM announced that the two tankers were stopped on Friday after U.S. forces detected them moving toward Iranian territory despite blockade restrictions. The military said the vessels were “unladen,” meaning they were not carrying oil or cargo at the time of the strikes. American officials added that another Iranian-flagged tanker had already been disabled earlier in the week during a similar operation.

Reports said a U.S. Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet fighter jet launched from the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush was involved in the operation. The aircraft reportedly fired precision munitions at the smokestacks of the tankers, identified in several reports as the Sea Star III and Sevda. CENTCOM later stated that all three targeted vessels are “no longer transiting to Iran.”

The latest military action is part of a larger U.S. effort to enforce a naval blockade around Iran that began in April 2026. The blockade was introduced by the Trump administration after growing regional tensions and accusations involving Iranian military activities in the Strait of Hormuz and Gulf of Oman. U.S. officials claim the operation is aimed at limiting Iranian oil movements and preventing threats to commercial shipping routes.

Iran strongly criticized the strikes and accused Washington of violating an existing ceasefire agreement. Iranian officials described the attacks as dangerous and warned that continued military pressure could increase instability across the region. Tehran has also claimed that recent American actions are damaging diplomatic efforts aimed at reducing tensions between the two countries.

The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the world’s most important shipping routes because a large portion of global oil exports passes through the area every day. Because of the ongoing crisis, oil markets have remained highly sensitive to military developments in the region. Reports said global oil prices rose again following news of the tanker strikes and fears of further escalation between the United States and Iran.

According to CENTCOM, around 70 commercial vessels have been redirected or prevented from entering Iranian ports since the blockade began. American military officials said the enforcement operations are continuing across the Gulf region with support from warships, surveillance aircraft, and allied naval forces. The U.S. government has repeatedly stated that it will continue protecting international shipping lanes while pressuring Iran to accept broader security and diplomatic agreements.

Despite the latest confrontation, diplomatic discussions between Washington and Tehran are still ongoing through international mediators. President Donald Trump recently said a fragile ceasefire with Iran technically remains in place, although both sides continue accusing each other of violations. Analysts warn that any further military incidents in the Strait of Hormuz could quickly affect global energy supplies and increase geopolitical tensions across the Middle East.