A ceasefire to the Iran War entered its 31st day Friday under severe strain as the Pentagon said it targeted oil tankers at an Iranian port. The U.S. attack comes one day after the U.S. conducted strikes on Iran, with Iran saying its military retaliated against U.S. naval vessels in response.
U.S. Central Command said Friday that the U.S. navy disabled the M/T Sea Star III and M/T Sevda, with Adm. Brad Cooper adding that “U.S. forces in the Middle East remain committed to full enforcement of the blockade of vessels entering or leaving Iran”
U.S. officials cited by Fox News said Thursday that American forces struck Iran’s Qeshm port and Bandar Abbas while Iran’s Central Military Headquarters said U.S. forces violated the ceasefire by targeting two Iranian oil tankers and striking civilian coastal infrastructure “in cooperation with some regional countries.”
Iran said its forces responded by striking U.S. military vessels, causing “significant damage.” Tasnim News Agency separately reported that the Iranian Navy targeted U.S. destroyers with missiles and drones, claiming the vessels were damaged and retreating toward the Sea of Oman.
President Donald Trump said Thursday that he regards the ceasefire as still being in effect. “They trifled with us and we blew them away. If there’s no ceasefire, you’re not going to have to know. You’ll see one big glow coming out of Iran. They better sign the agreement fast,” Trump said.
Drop Site News and NBC News, citing anonymous U.S. officials, reported that Trump’s U-turn on “Project Freedom,” in which the U.S. Navy would guide vessels through the Strait of Hormuz, came after Saudi Arabia and Kuwait both suspended the U.S. military’s access, basing, and overflight privileges needed to carry out the operation. The Wall Street Journal, citing unnamed U.S. and Saudi officials, reported on Thursday that Saudi Arabia and Kuwait have lifted those restrictions.
In a statement posted to X on Friday, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi wrote, “Every time a diplomatic solution is on the table, the U.S. opts for a reckless military adventure,” adding that “the CIA is wrong. Our missile inventory and launcher capacity are not at 75 percent compared to Feb 28. The correct figure is 120 percent.” The post referred to a Thursday Washington Post report on CIA estimates of Iran’s capabilities.
The UAE said that it intercepted Iranians drones and missiles Friday morning.
Lebanon’s Health Ministry said that Israeli strikes killed at least seven people in southern Lebanon on Friday, while the IDF said that three Israeli soldiers were injured by Hezbollah drones.
The price of Brent Crude oil rose to $101 on Friday while gas prices remained elevated, with AAA reporting the national average price of gas at $4.55.
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