US fires on Iran tankers as talks hang in balance
A US warplane disabled two Iranian tankers to enforce a port blockade on Friday, after Washington’s top diplomat said he was awaiting Tehran’s response to the latest proposed deal to end the Gulf conflict.
US Central Command said an F/A-18 Super Hornet had used precision munitions on the two ships to prevent them from continuing to Iran, as Iranian media reported “sporadic clashes” with US vessels in the Strait of Hormuz.
The latest incidents came after an overnight exchange of fire that triggered fears of a breakdown in the Gulf ceasefire, and after US Secretary of State Marco Rubio told reporters in Rome that Washington hoped to receive Tehran’s answer to the US proposal later on Friday.
Rubio said Iran must not control the Strait of Hormuz, where the flare-ups took place, but added: “We’re expecting a response from them today at some point… I hope it’s a serious offer, I really do.”
Washington has sent Iran, via Pakistani mediators, a proposal to extend the…
