The United States military disabled an unladen oil tanker attempting to reach Iran's Kharg Island in the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday morning.
Hellfire missiles were fired into the vessel's smokestack during a fifth day of strikes, according to The Guardian.
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The tanker ignored multiple warnings before being targeted by US forces.
This escalation occurred as the US reinstated its naval blockade on Iran, targeting coastal defenses, missile sites, and military capabilities.
President Donald Trump commented on the rising tensions during an address in Pennsylvania on Wednesday.
"Defeated soon," Trump said, expressing optimism about Iran's willingness to negotiate amid the widening military campaign.
"Settle so badly," he added.
The US president also noted that American negotiators had delivered a direct warning to their Iranian counterparts on Tuesday.
"You better make a deal," Trump said.
Trump further warned that the US could strike fortified underground nuclear facilities like "Pickaxe Mountain" if the shipping lane remains blocked.
Despite the hostilities, Trump announced on Truth Social that Iran had released an American citizen detained since late 2024 as a sign of goodwill.
"The United States of America appreciates this gesture of goodwill by Iran," Trump wrote.
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The release was confirmed by human rights attorney Jared Genser, who identified the citizen as Dena Karari.
"Dena is now safe and traveling back to the United States," Genser wrote.
Meanwhile, Iranian leaders expressed defiance.
Tehran's chief negotiator warned that the previous memorandum of understanding between the nations is failing due to the continuous strikes.
"Clauses are valid and being implemented," warned Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Iran's Chief Negotiator.
The Iranian official stated that the country would not maintain the agreement under the current conditions.
"If Iran is not to derive any benefit from the memorandum of understanding, we have no reason to adhere," Ghalibaf said.
He emphasized that the regional geopolitical situation remains extremely critical.
"Iranian arrangements," Ghalibaf said.
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Ghalibaf concluded by defining the core nature of the conflict between the two nations as an "essential and existential war with America."
