U.S. forces fired missiles on an oil tanker attempting to sail toward an Iranian port in the Arabian Gulf.
On Wednesday, the U.S. State Department approved the sale of weapons worth an estimated US$1.96 billion to Saudi Arabia.
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“This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States by improving the security of a Major non-NATO Ally that is a force for political stability and economic progress in the Gulf Region,” the State Department said in a release.
The principal contractor will be BAE Systems. The move comes as tensions between Houthi forces in Yemen and Saudi Arabia have intensified.
The arms sale also comes amid escalating confrontation between the United States and Iran, with Washington stepping up military operations against Tehran after reimposing a naval blockade.
Major U.S.-Saudi Arms Deal Approved
The United States has approved the sale of up to 20,000 APKWS-II precision-guidance kits to Saudi Arabia.
The package includes:
• 10,000 APKWS-II kits for air to air use
• 10,000 APKWS-II kits for air to ground missionsThe deal… pic.twitter.com/3H87zvZcO0
— Defence Index (@Defence_Index) July 16, 2026
U.S. Military Fires On Oil Tanker
On Wednesday, the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said U.S. forces fired missiles on and disabled an unladen oil tanker attempting to sail toward an Iranian port in the Arabian Gulf.
The commercial vessel, identified as Curacao-flagged M/T Belma, “ignored multiple warnings as it attempted to violate the U.S. blockade,” the command said in a post on social media.
A U.S. aircraft disabled the vessel sailing toward Kharg Island after firing hellfire missiles into the ship’s smokestack, it added. “The ship is no longer transiting to Iran.” U.S. forces reimposed its naval blockade against vessels transiting to or from Iranian ports and coastal areas on Tuesday. The U.S. military on Wednesday conducted two waves of strikes against Iran, the CENTCOM said earlier.
Crowds of Iranians took part in a public funeral procession for the late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei on the streets of Tehran.
Footage shows crowds surrounding the lorry carrying the body of the late Supreme Leader, as well as the remains of several members of his family.… pic.twitter.com/xLlNb65OY6
— teleSUR English (@telesurenglish) July 6, 2026
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Source: Xinhua
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