This image, obtained from social media and published on February 28, 2026, shows a flight deck crew giving a signal to an F-35 jet on an aircraft carrier, in a screen capture from a video released by U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) accompanying a press release describing the U.S.-Israel attack on Iran, dubbed “Epic Fury.”
Via CENTCOM X Via Reuters
The US military said on Friday that it had attacked two Iranian-flagged empty oil tankers in the Gulf of Oman, preventing them from entering Iranian ports in violation of the US naval blockade.
U.S. Central Command said in a statement that U.S. warplanes “fired precision munitions into the smokestacks, disabling both tankers,” and posted declassified video of both attacks.
The attack was the latest of a number of military actions this week that further undermined the United States’ tattered cease-fire with Iran, despite President Donald Trump’s insistence that it remains in effect.
The United States and Iran fired at each other in the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday, with each side claiming the other fired first.
President Trump told ABC News that the attack was “just a love tap.” In subsequent posts on Truth Social, he reiterated that Iran would be exposed to further attacks if it did not agree to the nuclear deal.
The strait, which normally supports 20% of global oil trade, has become a key military and economic battleground since the war began on February 28.
Iran effectively shut down the country after the United States and Israel launched a pre-emptive strike, and the Central Communications Authority retaliated by blocking Iranian ports. Continued tanker traffic jams are causing a global energy supply shock, leading to soaring oil prices and other knock-on effects.
Thursday’s strait attack comes as Iran is reportedly considering a U.S. proposal to end the war and ramp up further nuclear negotiations.
Despite the renewed hostilities, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Friday morning that he expected Iran to respond to the offer later in the day.
“Let’s see what the response entails. I hope it will lead us to a serious negotiation process,” he told reporters in Rome after a visit with Pope Leo XIV.
