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Reflecto News | Breaking News | Iran-US Conflict
WASHINGTON — U.S. military forces launched a new wave of airstrikes on Friday, May 8, 2026, targeting a group of empty oil tankers attempting to breach the U.S. naval blockade of Iranian ports in the Gulf of Oman, according to a senior U.S. official cited by Fox News .
The strikes come amid a dramatic escalation of enforcement actions in the strategic waterway, where U.S. forces have now intercepted multiple vessels attempting to enter or leave Iranian ports since the blockade was imposed on April 13 .
🚢 ‘Very Large Crude Carriers’ Trying to Run the Blockade
The targeted vessels were described by a senior U.S. official as “Very Large Crude Carriers (VLCC) … massive, empty ships trying to make it back to Iran” . Several vessels attempting to run the blockade were struck in the operation.
The latest wave of airstrikes follows two specific interdictions confirmed earlier on Friday, in which U.S. forces disabled two Iranian-flagged unladen oil tankers identified as the M/T Sea Star III and M/T Sevda .
According to U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), a U.S. Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet from the aircraft carrier 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 weapons used in this latest wave of attacks were not officially disclosed, though defense analysts suggest 500lb laser-guided bombs—likely inert versions to disable rather than destroy—were employed based on the precision required and the effects observed .
📊 Escalating Enforcement: A Timeline of Interdictions
Friday’s strikes mark the third time this week that U.S. forces have fired on Iranian ships attempting to run the blockade .
| Date | Vessel(s) | Method of Disablement | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 6 | M/T Hasna | F/A-18 20mm cannon fire to rudder | Vessel no longer transiting to Iran |
| May 8 | M/T Sea Star III & M/T Sevda | Precision munitions to smokestacks | Both vessels disabled, prevented from entering Iran |
| May 8 | Additional “several” VLCCs (unidentified) | Airstrikes (details not specified) | Vessels attempting to run blockade were struck |
The U.S. military has now disabled at least four Iranian-flagged tankers since the blockade began. More than 50 vessels have been redirected by CENTCOM forces, and according to a statement from the command on Friday, more than 70 tankers are currently being prevented from entering or leaving Iranian ports .
Those commercial ships have the capacity to transport over 166 million barrels of Iranian oil worth an estimated $13 billion-plus, CENTCOM stated on X .
⚓ ‘Project Freedom’ and the Escalating Confrontation
The interdictions have occurred against the backdrop of “Project Freedom,” the U.S. military operation aimed at restoring freedom of navigation through the blockaded Strait of Hormuz. The operation was launched on Monday, May 4, paused on Tuesday, May 5, after diplomatic consultations, and has now been partially resumed .
This week’s enforcement actions have not been limited to interdictions at sea. On Thursday, May 7, U.S. Navy destroyers transiting the Strait of Hormuz came under “unprovoked Iranian attacks” involving multiple missiles, drones, and small boats . American forces intercepted the threats and responded with “self-defense strikes” on Iranian military facilities, including missile and drone launch sites, command and control nodes, and surveillance locations .
Iranian officials have confirmed that an Iranian cargo vessel was struck during the overnight attacks, with an Iranian official reporting that 10 sailors were wounded and five others remain missing .
Despite the escalating military actions, President Donald Trump has insisted that the April 8 ceasefire remains in effect, describing the exchange of fire as a “love tap” in an ABC News interview . U.S. officials have emphasized that the strikes on Iranian tankers and military facilities are “self-defense” measures and do not mark a restart of the two-month war .
🛑 Iran’s Response and Regional Impact
Iran has formally accused the United States of violating the ceasefire . The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has vowed a “crushing response” to any further U.S. aggression .
The UAE also announced on Friday that it had intercepted a fresh salvo of Iranian missiles and drones, with debris from the attack causing three moderate civilian injuries . The attack on the UAE marked the latest in a sustained Iranian campaign against Gulf state civilian and energy infrastructure.
The strategic waterway, through which approximately 20% of the world’s oil normally passes, remains effectively closed to most commercial traffic, and global energy markets remain on edge. Brent crude rose to $102.70 following the reports of fresh strikes .
📋 Key Takeaways for Reflecto News Readers
| Aspect | Summary |
|---|---|
| Latest Strikes | U.S. forces struck “several” empty VLCCs attempting to breach the blockade on May 8 |
| Confirmed Disablements | M/T Sea Star III and M/T Sevda disabled by F/A-18 precision munitions to smokestacks |
| Total Tankers Disabled | 4 Iranian-flagged vessels (Hasna, Sea Star III, Sevda, Touska) |
| Total Vessels Blocked | 70+ tankers prevented from entering/leaving Iranian ports |
| Oil Volume/Value Blocked | 166+ million barrels worth over $13 billion |
| U.S. Military Assets | 15,000+ troops, 200+ aircraft, 20+ warships |
| Iran’s Response | Confirmed cargo vessel struck; 10 sailors wounded, 5 missing |
| Ceasefire Status | U.S. maintains ceasefire still in effect; Iran accuses U.S. of violations |
| UAE Attacks | Intercepted Iranian missiles/drones; 3 civilians wounded |
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Updated: May 8, 2026
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