U.S. Strikes Iranian Tanker and Military Sites as Hormuz Conflict Escalates

TLDR

• The U.S. military launched multiple strikes on Iranian military targets, including sites near Bandar Abbas and the Strait of Hormuz
• A U.S. aircraft fired missiles at the sanctioned supertanker Belma inside the Persian Gulf near Iran’s Kharg Island oil terminal
• Trump warned strikes will continue until Iran agrees to negotiate a deal
• Iran retaliated with missile and drone attacks on U.S. military targets and continued attacking commercial vessels
• The IEA warned the global economy could be at risk if the Hormuz conflict is not resolved within weeks

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The U.S. military carried out two separate strikes on Iran on Wednesday, targeting military facilities near Bandar Abbas and along the Strait of Hormuz. CENTCOM said the strikes were aimed at reducing Iran’s ability to attack ships passing through the waterway.

BREAKING: President Trump Just Went Inside the Situation Room

Trump has unleashed the full might of the U.S. military on Iran.

The Navy is enforcing a full blockade and the military is carrying out massive air strikes.

The U.S. military destroyed one oil tanker that tried to… pic.twitter.com/59mYAC1o1N

— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) July 16, 2026

Iran responded by firing missiles and drones at U.S. military targets in the region. It also rejected U.S. claims that the Strait of Hormuz was open, and continued attacking commercial vessels trying to pass through.

In a new development, a U.S. aircraft fired missiles at the sanctioned supertanker Belma inside the Persian Gulf. The vessel had ignored repeated warnings and was sailing toward Kharg Island, Iran’s main oil export terminal.

This was the first strike on a vessel since the U.S. reimposed its blockade of Iranian shipping. Analysts said the strike signals that the U.S. may be expanding the geographic scope of its blockade beyond the Strait of Hormuz.

Shipping data showed the Belma heading north toward Kharg Island late Wednesday before making a sharp turn after it was hit.

Trump Warns Iran While Leaving Door Open to Talks

President Trump said on Tuesday that his administration had been in contact with Iranian officials and that Iran “wanted to make a deal.” He said strikes would continue until Iran agreed to terms.

In a Fox News interview, Trump said his representatives had spoken to Iranian officials as recently as an hour before the interview. He warned Iran it would have “nothing left” if it did not negotiate.

Trump said striking Iran’s oil infrastructure would be saved for last but would eventually happen. He also raised the possibility of more attacks on Iranian nuclear sites, including a location known as Pickaxe Mountain.

A Wall Street Journal report said Trump is considering expanding the military campaign. Options on the table include more airstrikes, deploying ground forces to seize Iranian islands near the Strait of Hormuz, and strikes on a site linked to covert nuclear activities.

Trump held a Situation Room meeting Tuesday to discuss a broader offensive, according to Axios. The discussion included escalating operations beyond Southern Iran and the Hormuz area.

Trump had previously withdrawn a plan to impose a 20% toll on Hormuz shipping after talks with Gulf leaders. CENTCOM said it redirected two compliant vessels and disabled one non-compliant ship in the first 24 hours of the blockade, which took effect Tuesday at 4 p.m. Washington time.

The head of the International Energy Agency warned the global economy could face serious risks if the Hormuz situation is not resolved within weeks.

Iran controls Kharg Island, which is central to its oil export revenue. At least 11 shipments of oil and petrochemicals had been loaded from the island since a June peace deal was signed.

The U.S. Navy said it would allow food, medical, and essential civilian goods through the blockade once vessel requests are vetted.