U.S. disables Iranian tanker; Trump threatens bombing if Hormuz deal fails

Wednesday, May 6, 2026Developing

Politics Desk

What we know

U.S. Central Command said Wednesday that U.S. forces disabled an Iranian-flagged oil tanker, M/T Hasna, in the Gulf of Oman after the unladen vessel ignored warnings while sailing toward an Iranian port in violation of the U.S. naval blockade, AP, Defense News and Reuters reported. An F/A-18 Super Hornet from USS Abraham Lincoln fired 20mm rounds that knocked out the tanker's rudder; CENTCOM said the blockade of Iranian ports remains in force.

Hours later, President Donald Trump warned that if Iran does not accept terms under discussion — including reopening the Strait of Hormuz — "the bombing starts, and it will be, sadly, at a much higher level and intensity than it was before." Trump had paused Project Freedom naval escorts Tuesday night, citing "great progress" in Pakistan-mediated talks; Iran said it was still reviewing the latest U.S. proposals. A shaky U.S.-Iran ceasefire has largely held since April 8.

What's confirmed

AP/CENTCOM: F/A-18 disabled M/T Hasna's rudder in the Gulf of Oman after repeated warnings; tanker was unladen and headed toward an Iranian port (AP, Defense News).
Reuters/CBS: Trump Truth Social post threatened renewed bombing at higher intensity if Iran does not agree; he said Hormuz could reopen to all if Tehran honors terms (Reuters, CBS).
CNN: Regional sources said Washington and Tehran were closing in on a short memorandum to end the war, with a 30-day follow-on talks window on nuclear and Hormuz issues (CNN).
AP: Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman said Tehran had rejected earlier Axios-reported ideas but was examining the latest U.S. proposal (AP).
BBC/AP: Project Freedom escort mission was paused after roughly one day; U.S. blockade of Iranian ports stays in place (BBC, AP).

What's still developing

Iran's formal reply to the U.S. end-of-war memorandum and any Hormuz reopening timeline.
Whether Project Freedom escorts resume if talks stall.
Status of commercial shipping still bottled up in the Gulf after this week's clashes.

Sources

AP — US fires on Iranian oil tanker as Trump pressures Tehran for deal to end war link
Reuters — Trump says war could end if Iran agrees to proposal link
CNN — US and Iran closing in on agreement aimed at ending war, source says link
CBS — Trump threatens Iran strikes, says too soon for new direct talks link
Defense News — US forces fire at, disable Iran-flagged tanker trying to evade blockade link
BBC — Strait of Hormuz: What happened to Donald Trump's 'Project Freedom' plan? link