US says it struck Iranian-flagged tanker as Israel carries out air strike in Beirut

The United States military says it has attacked and disabled an Iranian-flagged oil tanker in the Gulf of Oman, in an escalation of tensions in the region.

According to the US military, the vessel was shot at and rendered inoperable during the operation. The attack comes amid an ongoing US blockade of Iranian ports in the Strait of Hormuz, a key global oil shipping route.

The developments form part of rising tensions between Washington and Tehran. Earlier, US President Donald Trump said strikes on Iran could resume if a deal was not reached, warning of further military action in a social media post.

Iran, however, has said it is still reviewing a US proposal aimed at ending the conflict. A spokesperson for Iran’s foreign ministry said the plan remained under consideration, while another official dismissed it as unrealistic.

In a related development, Israel has launched an air strike targeting Beirut’s southern suburbs, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirming that a senior Hezbollah commander was the target.

The strike hit the Haret Hreik neighbourhood, an area known to be a stronghold of the Iran-backed Hezbollah movement. Footage from the scene showed residents gathering amid damage following the explosion.

The latest military actions come as diplomatic efforts continue alongside heightened regional tensions, with conflicting reports suggesting both progress and setbacks in negotiations involving the United States and Iran.

Source: BBC News