US Attacks Iranian Oil Tankers Amid Retaliation, Ceasefire Memorandum Awaits Tehran's Reply
The US military attacked two Iranian-flagged empty oil tankers attempting to bypass a US blockade. Despite ongoing exchanges, President Trump maintains the ceasefire is effective and awaits Iran's reply to a US memorandum proposing a 30-day ceasefire and reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: May 9, 2026 at 10:41
- 🔍 Collected: May 9, 2026 at 11:01 (20 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 9, 2026 at 11:07 (5 min after Collected)
US-Iran War Key News
Central News Agency
(Central News Agency Washington, 8th, comprehensive foreign reports) The US Central Command announced that on the 8th, US forces attacked two Iranian-flagged empty oil tankers attempting to bypass a US blockade. Although the US and Iran exchanged fire this week, US President Trump stated that the ceasefire remains effective and is awaiting Iran's reply to a one-page US memorandum proposing a cessation of hostilities.
The Wall Street Journal reported that Trump told the media he expected to receive Iran's reply by the evening of the 8th, local time in the Eastern US. Both sides are currently negotiating over a one-page memorandum proposed by the US, which includes reopening the Strait of Hormuz and a 30-day ceasefire to negotiate a comprehensive agreement to end the war during this period.
● US Sanctions 10 Entities for Allegedly Aiding Iran's Arms Acquisition
The US Treasury Department announced on the 8th that it has sanctioned 10 individuals and entities related to the Middle East, Asia, and Eastern Europe, accusing them of assisting Iran in acquiring weapons and related parts.
The US Treasury Department stated that the sanctioned entities are located in China, Dubai, and Iran, and are suspected of helping Iran acquire weapons and materials needed to manufacture 'Shahed' drones and ballistic missiles. Iran used low-cost, long-range Shahed drones to attack neighboring targets and US military bases during this war.
● Iran's Internet Blockade Enters 70th Day
According to internet monitoring organization NetBlocks, Iran's internet blockade entered its 70th day on the 8th. NetBlocks stated that national internet connectivity in Iran remains at only about 1% to 2% of normal levels; the Iranian government began blocking the internet on February 28th, the first day of the war.
Alp Toker, director of NetBlocks, said that considering the number of people affected and the duration, the current internet outage in Iran is the most severe nationwide internet paralysis they have ever recorded.
Lack of internet access makes it extremely difficult for Iranians to obtain information about the war or contact family members; only a few Iranians can connect to the global internet via satellite or VPN.
● No Merchant Ships Have Crossed the Strait of Hormuz for 3 Days
According to S&P Global Intelligence data, due to escalating hostilities between the US and Iran, no merchant ships operated by registered shipping companies have crossed the Strait of Hormuz since May 5th.
Jeremy Domballe, head of maritime at S&P Global Intelligence, stated in a report to clients that in the past 7 days, 1018 ships had their last reported position within 320 kilometers of the strait. Those able to cross the strait are mainly 'shadow fleet' vessels or Iranian vessels engaged in local trade.
● Iran Reviews US-Proposed Interim Memorandum
The New York Times quoted three Iranian officials as saying that Tehran is discussing a one-page memorandum with Washington, which involves both sides lifting blockades, reopening the Strait of Hormuz, ceasing hostilities for 30 days, and reaching a comprehensive agreement. The three officials revealed that a major obstacle currently is the US demand for Iran to pre-commit on how it will handle its nuclear program and highly enriched uranium.
They stated that the US still insists that Iran agree to hand over enriched uranium to the US, close three nuclear facilities, and suspend uranium enrichment for 20 years.
Iranian officials said that Iran proposed diluting some of the enriched uranium, transferring the rest to a third country (possibly Russia), and suspending uranium enrichment for 10 to 15 years, but did not mention the disposition of the three nuclear facilities.
This memorandum has three immediate actionable items: lifting US blockades on Iranian ships and ports, reopening the strait for commercial shipping, and ceasing hostilities. Major points of contention hindering progress will be resolved within the next 30 days, including the future of Iran's nuclear program, lifting sanctions against Iran, and unfreezing Iranian funds abroad.
Three Iranian officials stated that Tehran is willing to commit to never seeking nuclear weapons and to agree to suspend uranium enrichment, but many details, including the duration of the suspension, have not yet been agreed upon with the US. (Compiled by: Chen Yi-wei) 1150509
Choose to stand with facts, every sponsorship you make is a force to protect press freedom.
Download the Central News Agency 'First-hand News' APP to get the latest news in real time.
Text, images, and audio/video on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, or publicly transmitted and used without authorization.
Central News Agency
(Central News Agency Washington, 8th, comprehensive foreign reports) The US Central Command announced that on the 8th, US forces attacked two Iranian-flagged empty oil tankers attempting to bypass a US blockade. Although the US and Iran exchanged fire this week, US President Trump stated that the ceasefire remains effective and is awaiting Iran's reply to a one-page US memorandum proposing a cessation of hostilities.
The Wall Street Journal reported that Trump told the media he expected to receive Iran's reply by the evening of the 8th, local time in the Eastern US. Both sides are currently negotiating over a one-page memorandum proposed by the US, which includes reopening the Strait of Hormuz and a 30-day ceasefire to negotiate a comprehensive agreement to end the war during this period.
● US Sanctions 10 Entities for Allegedly Aiding Iran's Arms Acquisition
The US Treasury Department announced on the 8th that it has sanctioned 10 individuals and entities related to the Middle East, Asia, and Eastern Europe, accusing them of assisting Iran in acquiring weapons and related parts.
The US Treasury Department stated that the sanctioned entities are located in China, Dubai, and Iran, and are suspected of helping Iran acquire weapons and materials needed to manufacture 'Shahed' drones and ballistic missiles. Iran used low-cost, long-range Shahed drones to attack neighboring targets and US military bases during this war.
● Iran's Internet Blockade Enters 70th Day
According to internet monitoring organization NetBlocks, Iran's internet blockade entered its 70th day on the 8th. NetBlocks stated that national internet connectivity in Iran remains at only about 1% to 2% of normal levels; the Iranian government began blocking the internet on February 28th, the first day of the war.
Alp Toker, director of NetBlocks, said that considering the number of people affected and the duration, the current internet outage in Iran is the most severe nationwide internet paralysis they have ever recorded.
Lack of internet access makes it extremely difficult for Iranians to obtain information about the war or contact family members; only a few Iranians can connect to the global internet via satellite or VPN.
● No Merchant Ships Have Crossed the Strait of Hormuz for 3 Days
According to S&P Global Intelligence data, due to escalating hostilities between the US and Iran, no merchant ships operated by registered shipping companies have crossed the Strait of Hormuz since May 5th.
Jeremy Domballe, head of maritime at S&P Global Intelligence, stated in a report to clients that in the past 7 days, 1018 ships had their last reported position within 320 kilometers of the strait. Those able to cross the strait are mainly 'shadow fleet' vessels or Iranian vessels engaged in local trade.
● Iran Reviews US-Proposed Interim Memorandum
The New York Times quoted three Iranian officials as saying that Tehran is discussing a one-page memorandum with Washington, which involves both sides lifting blockades, reopening the Strait of Hormuz, ceasing hostilities for 30 days, and reaching a comprehensive agreement. The three officials revealed that a major obstacle currently is the US demand for Iran to pre-commit on how it will handle its nuclear program and highly enriched uranium.
They stated that the US still insists that Iran agree to hand over enriched uranium to the US, close three nuclear facilities, and suspend uranium enrichment for 20 years.
Iranian officials said that Iran proposed diluting some of the enriched uranium, transferring the rest to a third country (possibly Russia), and suspending uranium enrichment for 10 to 15 years, but did not mention the disposition of the three nuclear facilities.
This memorandum has three immediate actionable items: lifting US blockades on Iranian ships and ports, reopening the strait for commercial shipping, and ceasing hostilities. Major points of contention hindering progress will be resolved within the next 30 days, including the future of Iran's nuclear program, lifting sanctions against Iran, and unfreezing Iranian funds abroad.
Three Iranian officials stated that Tehran is willing to commit to never seeking nuclear weapons and to agree to suspend uranium enrichment, but many details, including the duration of the suspension, have not yet been agreed upon with the US. (Compiled by: Chen Yi-wei) 1150509
Choose to stand with facts, every sponsorship you make is a force to protect press freedom.
Download the Central News Agency 'First-hand News' APP to get the latest news in real time.
Text, images, and audio/video on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, or publicly transmitted and used without authorization.