Daijiworld Media Network - Tehran
Tehran, May 7: The United States Central Command announced that American forces struck and disabled an Iranian-flagged oil tanker in international waters while it was reportedly heading toward an Iranian port in the Gulf of Oman.
According to a statement posted on X, the incident occurred at 9 a.m. US Eastern Time on Wednesday when the tanker, identified as Hasna, allegedly failed to respond to repeated warnings issued by US forces. The vessel was said to be sailing through international waters toward Iran at the time of the operation.
The statement said US forces targeted the ship’s rudder using rounds fired from the 20mm cannon of a Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet launched from the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72). Officials stated that the action successfully disabled the tanker, preventing it from continuing its journey toward Iran.
CENTCOM further said that the US naval blockade aimed at vessels attempting to enter or leave Iranian ports remains fully operational.
A day earlier, US President Donald Trump announced on Truth Social that the Pentagon’s mission to escort commercial ships through the Strait of Hormuz had been halted, while the blockade against Iranian ports would continue without interruption.
Trump also claimed that Iran’s military capabilities had suffered severe damage during the conflict. Speaking at the White House, he alleged that Iran’s naval fleet had been destroyed, its air force rendered ineffective, and much of its missile and air defence infrastructure dismantled.
He further asserted that several Iranian leaders had been killed and suggested that the conflict had significantly weakened Tehran’s military strength.
Despite the heightened tensions, Trump indicated that diplomatic discussions with Iran were continuing. He told reporters that recent talks had been productive and expressed optimism about the possibility of reaching an agreement.
Rejecting suggestions that Iran remained unwilling to compromise, Trump said the situation was evolving and reiterated his long-standing position that Iran must never be allowed to develop nuclear weapons.