WASHINGTON — U.S. forces struck and disabled two Iranian-flagged oil tankers in the Gulf of Oman on Friday as the vessels attempted to breach a U.S. naval blockade of Iranian ports, U.S. Central Command said.
The tankers, identified as the M/T Sea Star III and M/T Sevda, were unladen at the time of the strikes, according to CENTCOM. A U.S. Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet launched from the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush fired precision munitions into the ships' smokestacks, disabling both vessels and preventing them from reaching an Iranian port.
The action came amid heightened tensions in the Strait of Hormuz region, where U.S. and Iranian forces have clashed in recent days despite a fragile ceasefire in the broader conflict. CENTCOM said the strikes were part of ongoing efforts to enforce the blockade.
"U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) enforced blockade measures against two Iranian-flagged, unladen oil tankers attempting to pull into an Iranian port on the Gulf of Oman," the command said in a statement. "A U.S. Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet from USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) disabled both tankers after firing precision munitions into their smokestacks, preventing the non-compliant ships from entering Iran."
The Pentagon released video of the strikes showing smoke rising from the vessels' smokestacks following the impacts.
Iran condemned the U.S. action. Iranian military officials described it as a violation of the ceasefire and said their forces had responded to what they called prior U.S. attacks on Iranian vessels and coastal areas, according to statements carried by Iranian state media. Details of any Iranian response to Friday's strikes remained unclear.
The incidents follow a pattern of U.S. interdictions. CENTCOM has reported redirecting more than 50 commercial vessels and disabling several others in recent weeks to enforce the blockade, which aims to restrict maritime traffic to and from Iranian ports.
The U.S. operation in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for global oil shipments, forms part of broader efforts to restore freedom of navigation amid the conflict that began earlier in 2026. Shipping disruptions in the area have affected international energy markets.
No casualties were immediately reported from Friday's tanker strikes. Details on the condition of the vessels and their crews remained limited.
U.S. officials have maintained that the blockade measures are necessary for regional security, while Iran has accused the U.S. of aggression and interference with its maritime activities. Diplomatic efforts to secure a lasting ceasefire continue, with both sides issuing conflicting assessments of progress.
As of Saturday, the two disabled tankers were no longer proceeding toward Iran, CENTCOM said. The situation in the Strait of Hormuz remained tense.
