The U.S. military struck two empty Iranian-flagged oil tankers on Friday that it said were seeking to violate the ongoing U.S. blockade, U.S. Central Command said in a post on X, adding that a third Iranian-flagged vessel had been disabled on Wednesday.
Iran and the United States exchanged fire overnight Thursday-Friday despite a truce in place since April 8 that paused the weeks-long war. An Iranian official said that those overnight attacks in and near the Strait of Hormuz struck an Iranian cargo vessel, wounding 10 sailors and leaving five others missing.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Washington was expecting a response from Iran on Friday to US proposals for a deal to end the conflict. He also slammed as "unacceptable" efforts by Iran to control the Strait of Hormuz, following a report that Tehran has created an authority to approve transit through the vital waterway.
Also on Friday, the United Arab Emirates - which has bore the brunt of Iranian attacks on the Gulf - said an Iranian missile and drone strike on the country resulted in three moderate injuries.
In south Lebanon, Israeli strikes killed several people as fighting continued despite a truce with Hezbollah.