Tensions escalate in the Gulf of Oman following US military strikes on Iranian tankers
On May 8, 2026, the US military disabled two Iranian-flagged tankers, Sea Star III and Sevda, in the Gulf of Oman, claiming they violated a naval blockade by attempting to reach an Iranian port. A US Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet, launched from the USS George H.W. Bush, conducted precision strikes on the ships' smokestacks. Iran condemned the action as a flagrant violation of the ceasefire, with Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps threatening retaliation. Reports of sporadic clashes between US and Iranian forces in the Strait of Hormuz emerged simultaneously. Meanwhile, Iranian officials, including advisor Mohammad Mokhber, described the control of the Strait as a strategic asset comparable to a nuclear weapon. US President Donald Trump stated he is awaiting Iran's response to a recent proposal for ending the conflict, while leaving open the possibility of restarting the 'Operation Freedom' maritime security initiative. Intelligence assessments by the CIA suggest Iran could withstand the naval blockade for at least four more months.