⚔️ U.S. DESTROYERS TRANSIT HORMUZ UNDER IRANIAN ATTACK AS WASHINGTON EXPANDS REGIONAL BLOCKADE
⚓️ Maritime clashes between the United States and Iran intensified overnight following reported Iranian attacks on American destroyers transiting the Strait of Hormuz. Footage circulated online from the confrontation and from reported U.S. retaliatory strikes, including opposition-linked Iranian claims that some footage showed attacks on Bandar Abbas.
🛡️ President Donald Trump stated that the ceasefire with Iran remains in effect despite the exchange of fire. He characterized the incident as limited, saying Iran “trifled with us,” while describing the American response as decisive. Trump warned that a collapse of the ceasefire would result in severe consequences for Iran.
🚀 Trump said three U.S. destroyers passed through the Strait of Hormuz while facing Iranian missile launches, drones, and small-boat attacks. According to his statement, the vessels sustained no damage, incoming missiles were intercepted, and attacking Iranian forces, including multiple small boats, were destroyed. He added that the destroyers would return to what he described as an ongoing U.S. naval “Wall of Steel” blockade operation in the region.
🛰️ CENTCOM stated that U.S. forces intercepted what it described as “unprovoked Iranian attacks” while guided-missile destroyers transited into the Gulf of Oman on May 7. The command said American forces subsequently conducted self-defense strikes connected to the incident.
🚢 Iranian media reported that IRGC naval forces seized the tanker “OCEAN KOI” in the Oman Gulf area while it was sailing under the Barbados flag. Iranian outlets accused the vessel of disrupting Iranian oil exports and claimed it was connected to smuggling operations involving Iranian crude.
⛽ Fox News, citing a senior U.S. official, reported that American forces also struck several empty oil tankers allegedly attempting to break the blockade and return to Iran. CENTCOM later stated that more than 70 oil tankers are currently being restricted from entering or exiting Iranian ports, disrupting an estimated 166 million barrels of crude exports valued at over $13 billion.
🛳️ A CENTCOM infographic described a large-scale American military deployment across the Middle East involving more than 15,000 personnel, over 200 aircraft, and more than 20 naval vessels, including carriers, destroyers, and logistical support assets.
🌍 U.S. Secretary of State stated that the overnight events involving Iran were separate from “Operation Epic Fury,” describing them instead as part of a different operational phase referred to as “Wrath of My Fury.” Rubio warned that any Iranian missile launch against U.S. forces would trigger a direct American response.
🏛️ Rubio also said Washington would not negotiate with Hezbollah and remains focused on engagement with the Lebanese government. He added that the United States expects to receive Iran’s response to a recent American proposal later today.
📍 The U.S. State Department stated that Iran-backed groups have targeted American facilities in Iraq approximately 600 times. Washington also called on Iraq’s new government to sever ties with Iran-linked armed factions.
🇺🇳 U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations claimed that Iran attacked a Chinese oil tanker off the UAE coast earlier this week.
💰 Reports stated that the Trump administration approved approximately $25.7 billion in Patriot missile sales in a single day. The reported deals included roughly $17 billion involving Kuwait, the UAE, and Bahrain, alongside an additional $4 billion agreement with Qatar.
❗ The UAE Defense Ministry stated that Iran launched two ballistic missiles and three UAVs toward the UAE, moderately injuring three people. Emirati authorities later confirmed that Iranian missiles and drones had targeted the country earlier in the day, while large plumes of smoke were reported in Dubai following the attack.
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