A screengrab from a video launched by U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), which accompanied a press launch describing the operation dubbed “Epic Fury”, an assault by the USA and Israel on Iran, exhibits a flight deck crew member signaling an F‑35 jet on an plane provider, on this picture obtained from social media launched on Feb. 28, 2026.
CENTCOM By way of X By way of Reuters
The U.S. navy mentioned it struck two Iran-flagged unladen oil tankers within the Gulf of Oman on Friday, stopping the vessels from getting into an Iranian port in violation of a U.S. naval blockade.
A U.S. fighter jet “disabled each tankers after firing precision munitions into their smokestacks,” U.S. Central Command mentioned in an announcement, which included unclassified video of each strikes.
The assault was the most recent in a variety of navy actions this week which have additional undermined the U.S.’ tattered ceasefire with Iran, whilst President Donald Trump insists the short-term truce stays in impact.
The U.S. and Iran opened fireplace on one another within the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday, although either side say the opposite shot first.
Trump informed ABC Information that these strikes had been “only a love faucet.” In a later Fact Social publish, he reiterated that Iran will face additional assaults if it doesn’t comply with a nuclear deal.
The strait, which usually helps 20% of the world’s oil commerce, has turn into a key navy and financial battleground for the reason that struggle started on Feb. 28.
Iran successfully closed it after the U.S. and Israel launched their first strikes, and CENTCOM has retaliated with a blockade of Iranian ports. The continuing stifling of tanker visitors has triggered a worldwide power provide shock, inflicting a surge in oil costs and a cascade of different results.
Thursday’s assaults within the strait got here as Iran was reportedly reviewing a U.S. proposal that might finish the struggle and tee up additional nuclear talks.
Regardless of the renewal of hostilities, Secretary of State Marco Rubio mentioned Friday morning that he expects Iran to reply to the proposal later within the day.
“We’ll see what the response entails. The hope is it is one thing that may put us right into a critical course of in negotiation,” he informed reporters in Rome following his go to with Pope Leo XIV.
