The US military is conducting covert ship-to-ship oil transfers in the Gulf of Oman to maintain energy exports amid an Iranian blockade. The operation, involving smaller tankers transferring oil to larger vessels, aims to mitigate the global energy supply shock caused by the Strait of Hormuz closure.
The US disabled a foreign-flagged oil tanker, MT Jalveer, in the Gulf of Oman for attempting to transport oil from Iran, violating an established blockade. The vessel had 20 Indian nationals onboard. India's Ministry of External Affairs protested the repeated strikes on merchant vessels.
US forces struck and disabled a Guinea-Bissau-flagged oil tanker in the Gulf of Oman, marking the ninth such strike since a blockade of Iranian ports began. The incident follows similar strikes this week, with one previous attack resulting in the deaths of three Indian crew members.
Three Indian mariners were killed when the U.S. military struck the Palau-flagged tanker Settebello for allegedly violating the blockade on Iran. The U.S. military's Central Command stated the tanker attempted to transport oil from Iran and fired into its engine room to stop it.
The US military disabled a Palau-flagged oil tanker, the Settebello, in the Gulf of Oman for allegedly violating an American blockade by attempting to transport oil from Iran. Three Indian sailors are missing after the incident.
The US military's Central Command (CENTCOM) announced that over 120 commercial vessels have been redirected since the establishment of a naval blockade of Iran on April 13. CENTCOM stated that the blockade will continue to impede all ship movements to and from Iranian ports.
US forces fired a missile into the engine room of the Gambia-flagged cargo ship Lian Star for attempting to breach its blockade of Iranian ports after ignoring over 20 warnings. Hostilities have resumed this week despite a fragile ceasefire.
The US Central Command says a missile was fired into the engine room of the Gambia-flagged vessel Lian Star to stop it from breaching the blockade around Iranian ports. Six ships have been stopped, one allowed to proceed, and 116 redirected, as ceasefire talks and broader tensions continue in the region.
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Donald Trump stated that the US blockade on Iranian ships will remain until a deal is signed, emphasizing that "time is on our side" and urging both sides to "take their time and get it right." He also reiterated that Iran "cannot develop or procure a nuclear weapon."
CENTCOM reports 78 commercial ships redirected and 4 disabled since the US naval blockade of Iran began April 13. Iran's UN representative called the US actions "pirates and terrorists."
According to the report, intensive contacts are currently underway on this issue, and that "a breakthrough in resolving the issue of ships blocked in the strait is expected in the coming hours"
The US forces established the naval blockade of Iran on April 13
The United States announced Monday it will guide commercial ships through the Strait of Hormuz under a new initiative called 'Project Freedom,' attempting to end Iran's blockade of the critical oil chokepoint that has devastated global energy markets. The U.S. has set up an 'enhanced security area' near Omani waters, though Iran has warned any foreign military approaching will be targeted. The fragile ceasefire holding for three weeks now risks unraveling as both sides trade threats.
Trump maintains naval blockade against Iran until nuclear deal agreed, while Iran refuses to reopen Strait of Hormuz. Oil exports have collapsed from 2.1 million bpd to 567,000 bpd. Analysts say Iran has 26-76 days of storage capacity before production cuts become unavoidable, potentially giving Tehran weeks to withstand economic pressure.
Brent crude oil surged above $126 per barrel, its highest level since 2022, after Donald Trump warned the US blockade of Iranian ports could last months. The 13% price jump in 24 hours comes as US-Iran peace talks in Islamabad failed to materialize and the Strait of Hormuz remains effectively closed. Analysts warn a prolonged Hormuz crisis could send oil to $190 by August and trigger a global recession.
Oil prices climbed sharply on Thursday with Brent reaching $120 per barrel, its highest since mid-2022, as concerns grew over a prolonged U.S. blockade on Iranian exports and stalled nuclear negotiations. The move follows reports that President Trump rejected Iran's proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, with analysts warning prices could reach $150 if tensions escalate and the blockade continues through April.
Global oil prices surged past $120 per barrel on Thursday, reaching $122 — the highest level since 2022 — as fears of prolonged supply disruptions intensified amid deadlock in US-Iran nuclear talks. Brent crude rose 1.9% to near $120 while WTI climbed to about $107, building on nearly 6% and 7% gains respectively from the previous session. The spike follows President Trump's direction to prepare for a prolonged blockade of Iran, with the Strait of Hormuz effectively choked since US-Israeli strikes began February 28.
Brent crude oil surged above $126 per barrel, its highest level since 2022, after Donald Trump warned the US blockade of Iranian ports could last months. The 13% one-day surge came as US-Iran peace talks failed to materialise and Iran kept the Strait of Hormuz largely shut to oil tankers. Analysts warn a six-month blockade could push prices to $190, with economist Paul Krugman warning a global recession is more likely than not if the strait remains closed for three months.
US Central Command announced that American military forces have successfully redirected the 42nd commercial vessel attempting to violate the naval blockade of Iran, which was imposed on April 13. According to CENTCOM Commander Admiral Brad Cooper, Tehran is currently unable to sell approximately 69 million barrels of oil already loaded onto tankers due to the blockade.
Oil prices surged to $119 a barrel following reports the US is preparing an extended blockade of Iran's ports. Brent crude rose nearly 7% in one day, the highest this month, as traders priced in prolonged closure of the Strait of Hormuz. The meeting between Trump and energy executives including Chevron's CEO was seen as confirmation the blockade will continue. The strait, which carries a fifth of global oil supply, has been effectively closed for weeks amid the conflict.
Mortgage rates rose to 6.45% on Wednesday, the highest since April 3, after President Trump said he would maintain the U.S. naval blockade against Iran until a nuclear deal was reached. The statement sent oil prices higher and bond yields followed, pushing the 30-year fixed mortgage rate up seven basis points. Despite higher rates, mortgage applications surged 1% last week, up 21% year-over-year, suggesting buyers may be adapting to the higher rate environment.
Oil prices surged to $119 a barrel following reports that the US is preparing an extended blockade of Iran's ports. Brent crude rose nearly 7% in one day, the highest this month, as traders priced in prolonged closure of the Strait of Hormuz, which carries a fifth of global oil supply. Chevron CEO Mike Wirth met Trump at the White House on Tuesday to discuss consumer impact. The World Bank forecasts energy prices could rise 24% in 2026 if disruptions end in May.
Oil prices have surged to their highest level this month following reports that the US is preparing to extend its blockade of Iran's ports. Brent crude rose nearly 7% to $119 a barrel on Wednesday, with traders signaling expectations of prolonged closure of the Strait of Hormuz, which carries about a fifth of the world's oil supply. The meeting between energy executives including Chevron CEO Mike Wirth and President Trump at the White House on Tuesday reinforced concerns about extended supply disruptions, while Iran faces a deepening economic crisis with inflation at 53.7%.
