News24 | US fires on Iran tankers as talks hang in balance

A US F/A-18 Super Hornet disabled two Iranian tankers Friday to enforce a blockade in the Strait of Hormuz, even as Secretary of State Marco Rubio waited for Tehran’s answer to a proposal extending the Gulf truce for settlement talks.

The overnight exchange of missiles, drones and small boats between Iranian forces and three US warships triggered retaliation against land targets in Bandar Khamir, Sirik and Qeshm island. US Central Command reported no hits on its vessels; Iran’s Khatam al-Anbiya command claimed the Americans struck first against a tanker and hit civilian areas with help from unnamed regional countries.

Rubio told reporters in Rome that Iran must not control the strait but added he hoped for “a serious offer” later that day. President Trump, asked whether the ceasefire remained in effect, answered simply: “Yeah, it is. They trifled with us today. We blew them away.”

Iran’s foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei called the US action a “blatant violation of international law and a breach of the ceasefire,” yet boasted that Iranian forces had delivered a “major slap” to the enemy. The United Arab Emirates separately reported intercepting two ballistic missiles and three UAVs from Iran, resulting in three moderate injuries.

Tehran has now set up its own authority to approve transit through the strait and collect tolls, according to Lloyd’s List. Roughly 1,500 ships and 20,000 international crew members remain trapped in the Gulf, while US Central Command says it is blocking 70 tankers from Iranian ports. Saudi Arabia refused Washington use of its airspace or bases for any operation to force the passage open.

The conflict that began with US-Israeli strikes on 28 February has seen Iran largely close the strait, followed by an American blockade. Trump unveiled “Project Freedom” to reopen it, then paused the effort five days ago to pursue negotiations via Pakistani mediators. Markets rose on ceasefire hopes only to sink again Friday as fresh clashes in Hormuz revived fears the truce is collapsing before any final deal can be signed.

Original reporting: News24.