A fragile ceasefire with Iran remains officially in place, but U.S. forces struck and disabled Iranian oil tankers on Friday, saying the vessels were attempting to violate a U.S.-enforced naval blockade.
U.S. Central Command announced the action after what officials described as repeated incidents in and around the Strait of Hormuz and Gulf of Oman. Command spokespeople said two tankers were disabled after attempting to run the blockade; authorities have framed the strikes as interdiction to prevent possible deliveries tied to the conflict.
The strikes came after a violent interchange the night before in which Iran reportedly attacked three U.S. Navy destroyers in the Strait of Hormuz. U.S. forces said they returned fire: Apache helicopters armed with Hellfire missiles struck and destroyed several of Iran’s fast-attack boats, and U.S. aircraft also hit two Iranian ports in response to the initial attacks.
Although the White House still describes a ceasefire as active, U.S. officials portrayed the military actions as defensive steps intended to protect U.S. ships and enforce the blockade. President Trump told reporters he believed the U.S. had won militarily and urged Iran to pursue a diplomatic settlement, while warning that the U.S. could respond more forcefully if a negotiated peace deal is not reached.
Iran’s foreign minister and other Iranian officials pushed back on U.S. statements. One Iranian post accused the U.S. of choosing “reckless military adventure” when diplomacy is available and reiterated that Iranians “never bow to pressure.”
U.S. lawmakers and officials also raised concerns about reports that Iran might be seeking to assert control over shipping through the Strait. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said any Iranian effort to impose an agency to manage traffic in the Strait would be “problematic” and unacceptable, given the international character of the waterway.
The incidents highlight how tenuous the situation remains: diplomatic channels were said to be open, but on the ground (and sea) actions continue to raise the risk of wider escalation. U.S. commanders say the strikes were limited responses tied to specific perceived violations of the blockade; critics warn that any kinetic action near major shipping lanes risks miscalculation.
Beyond the Gulf, officials also confirmed other international developments: U.S. mediators reported that Russia and Ukraine agreed to a short ceasefire to observe Victory Day in Russia and to a prisoner-exchange, and a U.S. trade court ruled against the administration’s attempt to reimpose certain tariffs — underscoring a busy diplomatic and legal agenda even as tensions persist in the Middle East.
For now, the ceasefire’s survival looks uncertain. Washington says it will keep enforcing the blockade and respond to breaches; Tehran vows not to yield to pressure. Commercial shipping, regional partners and diplomatic mediators are watching closely for signs of whether talks can advance before further confrontations occur.