US military strikes Iran-bound oil tanker defying Trump’s naval blockade

Summary

US military strikes Iran-bound oil tanker defying Trump’s naval blockade According to Centcom, the unladen tanker was travelling towards Iran’s Kharg Island, from where Iran has been collecting tolls in exchange for allowing vessels to pass through safely since the early weeks of the war. The United States on Wednesday said it struck and disabled an oil tanker sailing towards Iran as part of its naval blockade on the Strait of Hormuz. A US aircraft fired a Hellfire missile at the engine room of the Botswana-flagged M/T vessel after it “ignored repeated warnings,” failing to comply with directions multiple times over 24 hours, Centcom wrote on X. Centcom also released visuals on social media capturing the moment the tanker was hit. Why was the ship attacked? According to Centcom, the unladen tanker was travelling toward Iran’s Kharg Island, from where Iran has been collecting tolls in exchange for allowing vessels to pass through safely since the early weeks of the war. On 13 April, US President Donald Trump imposed a naval blockade on ships accessing Iranian ports and coastline, to prevent Tehran from collecting tolls. Defying Washington’s demand for restoring freedom of navigation in the strait, Iran established the Persian Gulf Strait Authority (PGSA) in May to formalise toll collection. Tehran has been pushing for US recognition of Iran’s sovereignty over the Strait and justified the toll collection, arguing that the key maritime route passes through the territorial waters of Iran and Oman. US-Iran ceasefire talks ongoing The development came after Trump requested changes to the potential peace agreement with Tehran. CBS News reported that the changes related to the Strait of Hormuz and the removal of highly enriched uranium from Iran. Story continues below this ad The US President also denied reports suggesting that peace talks with Tehran had halted over Israel’s ongoing military operation in Lebanon. The BBC reported that on Monday, Iran’s foreign ministry spokesman said Washington was “constantly changing its views and putting forward new or contradictory demands”. On Tuesday, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio told lawmakers that Tehran has signaled a willingness to negotiate elements of its nuclear program, the key sticking point in the ceasefire talks. The Express Global Desk at indianexpress.com which delivers authoritative, verified, and context-driven coverage of key international developments shaping global politics, policy, and migration trends. The desk focuses on stories with direct relevance for Indian and global audiences, combining breaking news with in-depth explainers and analysis. A major focus area of the desk is US immigration and visa policy, including developments related to student visas, work permits, permanent residency pathways, executive actions, and court rulings. The Global Desk also closely tracks Canada’s immigration, visa, and study policies, covering changes to study permits, post-study work options, permanent residence programmes, and regulatory updates affecting migrants and international students. All reporting from the Global Desk adheres to The Indian Express’ editorial standards, relying on official data, government notifications, court documents, and on-record sources. The desk prioritises clarity, accuracy, and accountability, ensuring readers can navigate complex global systems with confidence. Core Team The Express Global Desk is led by a team of experienced journalists and editors with deep expertise in international affairs and migration policy: Aniruddha Dhar – Senior Assistant Editor with extensive experience in global affairs, international politics, and editorial leadership. Nischai Vats – Deputy Copy Editor specialising in US politics, US visa and immigration policy, and policy-driven international coverage. Mashkoora Khan – Sub-editor focusing on global developments, with a strong emphasis on Canada visa, immigration, and study-related policy coverage. ... Read More