President Donald Trump on Truth Social Monday, said that a deal with the Islamic Republic of Iran has been reached and that the U.S. Naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz will be lifted days after a strike on a Palau-flagged oil tanker.
“I hereby fully authorize the toll free opening of the Strait of Hormuz, and, simultaneously here with, authorize the immediate removal of the United States Naval blockade” he wrote following an agreement reached to end the war in Iran.
Details of the agreement were not immediately available, according to reporting by the Associated Press.
In a statement June 10, the U.S. Central Command said that U.S. forces disabled the Palau-flagged oil tanker M/T Settebello in the Strait of Hormuz, killing three.
CENTCOM said the incident took place at 11:14 p.m. on June 9, stating it was the second consecutive day of a vessel violating the U.S.’s ongoing blockade by attempting to transport oil from Iran.
“A U.S. aircraft fired precision munitions into the ship’s engine room after the crew repeatedly failed to comply with directions from American forces,” CENTCOM said.
The vessel was disabled as it transited the Gulf of Oman.
Since April 13, the U.S. has established a Naval blockade of the strait, affecting energy prices globally.
CENTCOM reported that its forces have disabled some eight “non-compliant” vessels, redirected 134 ships that complied, and allowed 42 humanitarian aid ships to pass.
The three crewmen killed in the strike were Indian nationals.
Condemnation
The International Maritime Organization Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez said he strongly condemns the attack on the M/T Settebello.
“This is simply unacceptable,” he said in a statement following the attack. “All actions affecting international shipping must fully respect international law and the safety of life at sea. The protection of seafarers is a shared responsibility that must remain paramount,”
Palau President Surangel Whipps Jr.’s office has not yet released a statement on the attack.
MT Skylight
The June 10 strike isn’t the first time a vessel associated with Palau was attacked in the Strait of Hormuz.
The Pacific Daily News reported that the oil tanker MT Skylight was struck on March 1 following drone strikes related to ongoing fighting in the region.
Palau President Surangel Whipps Jr.’s office issued a statement clarifying the vessel was not registered with the Palau Ship registry at the time of the incident.
The vessel was removed from the Palau registry in January 2026.
