US forces attacked an Iranian vessel in the Gulf of Oman that was attempting to cross the Strait of Hormuz, the US Central Command (CENTCOM) said in a Wednesday statement.
The Iranian-flagged oil tanker attempted to bypass the ongoing blockade of the Strait of Hormuz when it was struck by the US Navy.
American forces issued multiple warnings, which were ignored, before enforcing blockade measures by firing 20 mm cannon rounds at the ship’s rudder from a US Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet.
CENTCOM said the US blockade remains in full effect, as talks with Iran to potentially end the ongoing conflict continue.
US President Donald Trump said Wednesday that he was confident that the US was “closing in on a deal” with Iran.
In an interview with Fox News, Trump gave Iran one week to make a deal with US negotiators.
According to Axios, the US is anticipating a response from Iran within 48 hours regarding the key points of a one-page, 14-point memorandum of understanding. An Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson told CNBC later on Wednesday that the proposal was being “evaluated.”
The one-page document would reportedly require an end to hostilities and the start of a 30-day negotiation period.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Wednesday that he was not surprised by the recent developments in the negotiations between the US and Iran and that there is “full coordination” between the US and Israel.”We are maintaining continuous contact with our friends in the US. I speak with President Trump on an almost daily basis. My people and his people speak daily, including today. And I will speak again with President Trump later tonight,” Netanyahu said.
“We share common goals, and the most important objective is the removal of all enriched material from Iran and the dismantling of Iran’s enrichment capabilities.”
Source:
www.jpost.com
