Washington, May 7: Tensions between Iran and the United States continue to escalate amid ongoing diplomatic efforts. The U.S. Central Command announced on the social media platform X that the U.S. military has neutralized an Iranian-flagged oil tanker, which was empty, heading towards an Iranian port.
The command stated that the strike occurred at 9 AM Eastern Time on Wednesday, as the targeted vessel, Hasna, was navigating international waters towards a port in Iran via the Gulf of Oman.
According to the statement, “When the crew of Hasna ignored repeated warnings, the U.S. military fired multiple rounds from a 20mm cannon mounted on the USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72), destroying the tanker’s radar.”
It further noted that Hasna is no longer heading to Iran. The command emphasized that the blockade against vessels attempting to enter or exit Iranian ports is fully enforced.
According to the news agency Xinhua, a day prior, U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Truth Social that he had halted the Pentagon’s mission to withdraw commercial ships from the Strait of Hormuz while maintaining a robust blockade on Iranian ports.
Meanwhile, Trump claimed that Iran’s military infrastructure has suffered significant damage during the conflict. He stated, “They had a navy of 159 ships, and now every ship is in pieces and sunk. The U.S. military had an air force with many planes, and they have none.”
He further asserted that Iran’s anti-aircraft systems, radar capabilities, and missile stockpiles are “mostly depleted.”
U.S. media outlet CNN reported, citing sources, that the U.S. and Iran are nearing an agreement on a small memorandum aimed at ending hostilities. Tehran is expected to submit its response to the mediators soon.
Earlier, President Trump mentioned that the U.S. had very productive discussions with Iran over the past 24 hours. However, he also threatened to resume bombings if Iran does not agree to a deal.
Meanwhile, citizens in Iran have once again taken to the streets. Crowds gathered in Tehran on Wednesday night, waving flags and chanting slogans in support of the country’s leadership while denouncing Israel.
Music and songs filled the air as Iranians waved their phone lights, raised their fists, and carried images of former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Nahal Rahmatpur, an Iranian woman present at the rally, stated, “We are here until our leaders say otherwise, and we will defend our armed forces.”
Rahmatpur and other attendees questioned whether President Trump would launch further attacks on Iran while negotiations are ongoing.
In her view, Rahmatpur expressed confidence, saying, “I don’t think Trump has the courage to attack again, as we are a superpower ourselves, and I don’t believe they will strike us again.”
My name is Bhupendra Singh Chundawat. I am an experienced content writer with several years of expertise in the field. Currently, I contribute to Daily Kiran, creating engaging and informative content across a variety of categories including technology, health, travel, education, and automobiles. My goal is to deliver accurate, insightful, and captivating information through my words to help readers stay informed and empowered.
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