Hyderabad, May 8 -- The United States said it disabled two Iranian-flagged oil tankers in the Gulf of Oman on Friday, May 8, intensifying maritime tensions in the region even as Washington and Tehran continue indirect diplomatic efforts aimed at ending the conflict.

US Central Command (CENTCOM) said an F/A-18 Super Hornet struck the empty tankers, identified as M/T Sea Star III and M/T Sevda, using precision munitions fired into their smokestacks.

According to CENTCOM, the vessels were heading towards Iranian ports in violation of an ongoing US maritime blockade.

In a statement posted on X, the command said the tankers were disabled before entering Iranian waters and were no longer transiting towards Iran. The US military also claimed ...