Estimating that they were violating the ongoing “American blockade,” the American army struck two Iranian oil tankers attempting to reach an Iranian port in the Gulf of Oman. Tehran accused the United States of a “flagrant violation” of the ceasefire.
The American army announced on Friday 8th May that they had “neutralized,” by firing at them, two Iranian-flagged ships attempting to reach an Iranian port in the Gulf of Oman, “in violation of the ongoing American blockade.”
An American plane “neutralized the two oil tankers by firing precision ammunition in their paths,” preventing them from entering Iran, the American command for the region (Centcom) stated on X. The two oil tankers, the Sea Star III and the Sevda, are “no longer heading towards Iran,” the army added.
At the same time, the Iranian news agency Fars claimed that “sporadic clashes” were taking place between the armed forces of the Islamic Republic and the American navy in the Strait of Hormuz. Earlier, the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs accused the United States of a “flagrant violation” of the ceasefire.
The announcement by Centcom caused oil prices to rise, in a session marked by uncertainties related to the conflict in the Middle East.
Other neutralized ships
The United States had already intervened on Wednesday to neutralize another Iranian ship, the Hasna, which did not comply with the blockade.
American forces also targeted the engine room of the Iranian cargo ship Touska on April 19, after ordering the crew to evacuate.
Tehran has blocked the Strait of Hormuz, strategically important for global oil trade, since the war began on February 28. The conflict has resulted in thousands of deaths, especially in Iran and Lebanon, and has shaken the global economy.
In retaliation, Washington has imposed its own blockade on Iranian ports. Since its implementation on April 13, five days after a fragile ceasefire between the two countries came into effect, more than 50 ships have been rerouted by American forces, according to the army.
