US Hits and Disables two Blockade Busting Iranian Tankers

US Escalates Hormuz Clash After Disabling Two Iranian Tankers

The United States dramatically escalated tensions in the Strait of Hormuz on Friday after American forces fired on and disabled two Iranian oil tankers accused of attempting to break Washington’s blockade of Iranian ports.

The confrontation came after another night of exchanges between US and Iranian forces in the narrow shipping corridor that carries roughly a fifth of the world’s oil supply.

Despite the mounting violence, Donald Trump continues to insist a fragile ceasefire with Iran technically remains in place.

US Navy Exchanges Fire In Strait

The US military said Iranian forces launched attacks against three American Navy ships overnight before US forces retaliated with strikes on Iranian military facilities along the strait.

Washington later released dramatic footage showing fighter jets hitting the smokestacks of two Iranian tankers allegedly trying to breach the American naval blockade.

Earlier in the week, the US had already crippled another Iranian tanker by destroying its rudder.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio issued a blunt warning:

“They threaten Americans, they are going to be blown up.”

Iran condemned the attacks as a violation of the ceasefire agreement.

Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi accused Washington of sabotaging diplomacy whenever negotiations appear possible.

UAE Hit Again By Iranian Missiles And Drones

Meanwhile the United Arab Emirates reported a fresh Iranian attack involving ballistic missiles and drones.

The UAE Defense Ministry said air defenses intercepted two ballistic missiles and three drones, although it remained unclear whether every projectile was successfully destroyed.

Three people were reportedly wounded during the assault.

The latest attack further strains the already shaky truce that followed months of warfare between Iran, the US and Israel.

Oil Spill Sparks Environmental Fears

New satellite images reviewed by the Associated Press appear to show a major oil slick spreading from Kharg Island, Iran’s main crude export hub.

Maritime intelligence analysts estimate roughly 80,000 barrels of oil may already have leaked into the Persian Gulf.

Experts warn the spill could drift toward the coasts of the UAE, Saudi Arabia or Qatar within weeks depending on currents and weather conditions.

Environmental groups say the fighting risks turning one of the world’s most strategically important waterways into an ecological disaster zone.

“This is the risk of fighting in an oil-rich area,” said maritime analyst Ami Daniel.

Hormuz Crisis Rocks Global Shipping

The conflict has effectively paralysed traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, sending fuel prices soaring and rattling global markets.

Hundreds of commercial ships remain trapped inside the Persian Gulf unable to safely transit the waterway.

Tensions escalated further after reports that Iran created a new government body — the “Persian Gulf Strait Authority” — tasked with vetting and taxing vessels passing through the channel.

Rubio blasted the move as unacceptable.

“Is the world going to accept that Iran now controls an international waterway?” he asked.

China Dragged Into Crisis

The crisis is increasingly drawing in China, which remains heavily dependent on Gulf oil supplies.

A Chinese-crewed tanker near the strait was reportedly attacked, although no casualties were recorded.

Beijing expressed concern over the worsening security situation while continuing to import Iranian oil despite the de facto blockade.

Meanwhile South Korea — which imports most of its crude through Hormuz — has already imposed fuel price controls to limit economic fallout.

Trump Pushes For Deal While Threatening More Force

Behind the scenes, the Trump administration is still pressing Tehran to accept a broader agreement that would reopen the strait and curb Iran’s nuclear programme.

Pakistan is reportedly acting as a mediator between both sides, with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif saying talks are continuing “day and night.”

But while diplomacy limps forward, the military confrontation in the Gulf is intensifying almost daily — raising fears the region could slide back into full-scale war at any moment.

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