US Military Disables Merchant Vessel in Gulf of Oman Amid Escalating Iran Tensions
The United States military said on Friday that it disabled a merchant vessel in the Gulf of Oman after the ship repeatedly attempted to breach a naval blockade imposed by the US on Iran's ports. The action marks the second such incident since the blockade was reimposed.
Captain Tim Hawkins, a spokesman for US Central Command, told the Associated Press that the M/T Lavine was warned multiple times but failed to comply with commands before US forces fired into its engine room. The crew was not harmed, according to the statement.
The incident occurred as the 13th consecutive night of strikes between the US and Iran showed no signs of de-escalation. Both sides continued military operations while diplomatic efforts remained uncertain. The US embassies in the Middle East began alerting American citizens that options for departure might become limited, and Iran's Revolutionary Guard advised people in neighbouring countries to stay away from US military bases.
Separately, Saudi Arabia struck the port city of Hodeida in Yemen in response to attacks by Iranian-backed Houthi rebels on Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea, the Saudi-led coalition said. The Houthis announced plans to escalate, breaking a period of relative calm that had lasted for years.
On Friday, US President Donald Trump met with senior national security aides to discuss the situation with Iran, weighing whether to maintain the current strategy or escalate military attacks, according to a US official who spoke on condition of anonymity. The New York Times earlier reported the meeting, but it was not clear if any decisions were reached. The White House did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Speaking in the Oval Office, Trump described negotiations with Iran as 'by far the most serious that we've seen,' even as the US conducted daily strikes. He added that he was 'not in a hurry' to end the conflict.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi vowed that Iran would not submit to US 'bullying,' noting ongoing discussions with China and Russia. In an interview with the semi-official Tasnim news agency, he stated that the Islamic Republic is 'neither intimidated by threats nor will we yield to pressure.'
The Strait of Hormuz, a vital waterway for global energy supplies, has been effectively shut down by Iranian attacks, leading to soaring fuel prices and economic disruption.
In the northern Iraqi city of Irbil, security officials reported that US-led forces shot down five explosives-laden drones. Explosions were heard near the airport, where US troops are based. US military officials did not respond to requests for comment.
Iran's Revolutionary Guard claimed it had targeted the US base in Udairi, Kuwait, destroying three ammunition and storage sheds, and also struck a watchtower for the US Navy's Fifth Fleet in Bahrain. US Central Command did not respond to inquiries about these claims. Both Bahrain and Jordan reported intercepting aerial attacks by Iran on Friday.
In response, the US hit a Revolutionary Guard naval base in northern Iran, according to semi-official Iranian news outlets Fars and ISNA. Blasts were also reported on Qeshm Island, a base for naval assets, and in Isfahan province, which houses a major air base and a nuclear site.
The situation remains volatile, with no clear path to de-escalation. Both sides continue to exchange strikes, raising concerns of a broader regional conflict.
