WASHINGTON — May 8, 2026

United States Central Command (CENTCOM) stated that the U.S. military conducted a new series of airstrikes on Friday targeting oil tankers attempting to bypass the blockade of Iranian ports in the Strait of Hormuz.

According to CENTCOM, U.S. Navy Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet fighters struck two unladen Iranian tankers:

  • M/T Sea Star III

  • and M/T Sevda

These two vessels were reportedly attempting to breach the blockade to enter an Iranian port in the Gulf of Oman.

CENTCOM stated that American aircraft fired precision munitions at the ships' funnels, disabling both vehicles.

Infrared video released by the U.S. military shows thick black smoke rising from the ships following the strike.

Another ship was also intercepted after Super Hornet fighters fired multiple 20mm rounds, damaging the vessel's rudder.

According to CENTCOM, more than 70 oil tankers are currently being prevented from entering or leaving Iranian ports by U.S. forces.

These ships are believed to be capable of transporting over 166 million barrels of Iranian oil, with an estimated total value of more than $13 billion.

Approximately 15,000 U.S. troops are currently involved in enforcing the blockade, which has been in effect since April 13.

Analysts warn that tensions surrounding the blockade could inadvertently pull the U.S. and Iran back into a full-scale war.

However, the U.S. has not yet officially terminated the ceasefire agreement with Iran, despite consecutive clashes between the two sides in recent days.

Previously, President Donald Trump described U.S. retaliatory strikes after Iran targeted three U.S. warships as:

“love taps.”

In a separate development, Iran seized a Barbados-flagged tanker named Ocean Koi in the Gulf of Oman on Friday.

Tehran accused the vessel of attempting to “damage and disrupt Iranian oil exports.”

Secretary of State Marco Rubio also warned:

“Any ship that targets a U.S. vessel will be blown away.”

Although the ship escort mission “Project Freedom” has been suspended, the U.S. stated that the blockade of Iran continues to be fully enforced.