Iran seizes tanker in Gulf of Oman as US disables two Iranian vessels

Iran's Revolutionary Guards said they seized an oil tanker in the Gulf of Oman on Friday while the US military said it had disabled two Iranian-flagged tankers, marking a sharp escalation in tensions around the Strait of Hormuz amid efforts to secure a lasting ceasefire.

The incidents came after a fragile pause in fighting appeared to collapse, with both sides reporting military exchanges in and around one of the world's most important oil shipping lanes, says Al Jazeera.

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) described the capture of the tanker as a "special operation". At the same time, US Central Command (CENTCOM) said it had disabled two Iranian tankers attempting to enter Iranian ports, adding that it remained committed to enforcing what it called a full blockade.

Hours earlier, US and Iranian forces exchanged fire in the Strait of Hormuz. US President Donald Trump said Iran had attacked three US Navy destroyers during the confrontation.

Iran's military command accused the United States of targeting Iranian vessels and carrying out air strikes on civilian areas on Qeshm Island, located near the entrance to the strait. Iran said 10 sailors were wounded and five remained missing following the strikes.

Iran later retaliated by attacking US vessels south of the port of Chabahar, according to Iranian officials.

Amid the confrontation, Tehran announced what it called a new maritime regime for the Strait of Hormuz, creating a body named the "Persian Gulf Strait Authority" to oversee all maritime traffic through the waterway.

Under the new rules, ships intending to pass through the strait must obtain clearance from Iranian forces and provide detailed information by email, including their origin, cargo and destination. Iranian authorities would then assess the information and impose toll fees for passage.

The Strait of Hormuz handles roughly one-fifth of the world's oil shipments during peacetime, making it one of the most strategically significant waterways globally.

Analysts said the measures appeared aimed at strengthening Iran's leverage during ongoing negotiations over a ceasefire and projecting greater regional influence.

Defence analyst Alex Alfirraz Scheers said the IRGC's actions were likely intended to "tip the balance" in ceasefire negotiations, particularly if Washington was viewed as unwilling to compromise on deal terms.

Analysts also described Iran's maritime measures as an attempt to assert "strategic and political clout" over a critical global chokepoint.

Diplomatic efforts to ease tensions continued in parallel. US Vice President JD Vance met Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani in Washington to discuss Pakistan-led mediation efforts aimed at de-escalating the conflict.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said Tehran was reviewing the mediation proposal but warned Iranian forces remained prepared to respond to any "aggression".