U.S. Says It Disabled Two More Vessels Seeking To Enter Iranian Ports: ‘Full Enforcement Of The Blockade’
The U.S. Central Command said it disabled two more vessels attempting to enter Iranian ports as tensions with Tehran remain high despite talks of progress towards ending the war.
“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. 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,” CENTCOM said in a social media publication.
The post goes on to quote CENTCOM Commander Brad Cooper, who said “U.S. forces in the Middle East remain committed to full enforcement of the blockade of vessels entering or leaving Iran.”
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi criticized recent developments, saying the U.S. is choosing a “reckless military adventure” over diplomacy.
Every time a diplomatic solution is on the table, the U.S. opts for a reckless military adventure. Is it a crude pressure tactic? Or the result of a spoiler once again duping POTUS into another quagmire?
Whatever the causes, outcome is the same: Iranians never bow to pressure. pic.twitter.com/ev7dMIebNB
— Seyed Abbas Araghchi (@araghchi) May 8, 2026
“Is it a crude pressure tactic? Or the result of a spoiler once again duping POTUS into another quagmire? Whatever the causes, outcome is the same: Iranians never bow to pressure,” Araghchi added.
Iranian officials also said the U.S. “crossed the point of no return” following previous clashes in the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday, while President Donald Trump claims the ceasefire is still in effect.
Concretely, Iran’s central military command, the Khatam Al-Anbiya headquarters, said Washington struck ports in the key waterway, leading Tehran to retaliate by launching attacks against U.S. ships.
Tehran said the strikes caused “severe and substantial damage,” in contrast with the U.S.’s claim that ships were not harmed.
The countries are also giving contrasting statements about the gravity of the clashes. Trump told ABC News they were “just a love tap.”
He also said in a social media publication that three destroyers transited through the Strait of Hormuz under fire.
“There was no damage done to the three Destroyers, but great damage done to the Iranian attackers. They were completely destroyed along with numerous small boats, which are being used to take the place of their fully decapitated Navy,” Trump said.
“A normal Country would have allowed these Destroyers to pass, but Iran is not a normal Country. They are led by LUNATICS, and if they had the chance to use a Nuclear Weapon, they would do it, without question — But they’ll never have that opportunity and, just like we knocked them out again today, we’ll knock them out a lot harder, and a lot more violently, in the future, if they don’t get their Deal signed, FAST!” he added.
Trump also addressed developments while speaking to reporters on Thursday, saying a deal “might not happen, but it could happen any day.” “I believe they want the deal more than I do,” he said.
