Chinese-owned oil tanker hit near Hormuz as US pauses ship-protection plan, report says Reuters Thu, May 7, 2026 at 11:05 AM EDT 2 min read Add Yahoo as a preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. Add Yahoo on Google
LONDON/ATHENS, May 7 (Reuters) - A Chinese-owned oil products tanker was attacked near the Strait of Hormuz on Monday, Chinese media outlet Caixin reported, as President Donald Trump launched a U.S. plan that day to help stranded vessels but suspended it a day later.
This was the first time a Chinese oil tanker has been attacked, a person with knowledge of the matter told Caixin on Thursday.
Traffic through the vital strait, through which 20% of the world's oil and gas supplies pass, has been at a virtual standstill since the Iran conflict began on February 28.
The unnamed vessel's deck caught fire and the ship was marked "CHINA OWNER & CREW," according to Caixin.
It was not clear if any of the vessel's crew were injured.
China remains a key buyer of Iranian oil, which has been targeted by a U.S. blockade in the Gulf of Oman.
China's foreign ministry did not respond to an out-of-hours request for comment.
Trump said on Monday the U.S. would begin efforts to assist ships stranded in Hormuz, though he suspended it a day later, after Iran responded by launching drones and missiles at several ships and at its neighbours, particularly the UAE.
INCIDENT OCCURRED OFF UAE COAST
Maritime security sources said the Chinese vessel that was damaged was believed to be the Marshall Islands-flagged oil products and chemical tanker JV Innovation, which had reported a fire on its deck to nearby ships on Monday.
More in World
US says it has targeted Iranian military facilities after responding to attacks on navy ships
The incident took place off the United Arab Emirates coast in the Gulf close to Mina Saqr, the report said.
Due to the ongoing conflict between the U.S. and Iran, hundreds of ships and 20,000 seafarers remain trapped inside the Gulf, with traffic through Hormuz paralysed after renewed attacks on ships this week.
China's foreign minister [censored] Yi met with Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi in Beijing a day earlier and they discussed reopening the strait, a Chinese foreign ministry statement said.
The U.S. and Iran are edging toward a limited, temporary agreement to halt the war, sources and officials said, with a draft framework that would stop the fighting but leave the most contentious issues unresolved.
(Reporting by Beijing bureau, Jonathan Saul in London and Renee Maltezou in Athens; Editing by Toby Chopra and Bernadette Baum)
Trump calls for Jeffries to be charged with ‘inciting violence’ in social media post
President Donald Trump pushed for Democratic House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries to be charged with “INCITING VIOLENCE” on Thursday, his latest call to go after Democratic opponents in the legal arena.
“The Radical Left Democrats actually want to Destroy our Country,” he wrote on Truth Social, alongside an image of Jeffries gesturing to a “maximum warfare” sign and another image from the shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, which took place three days after the photo of Jeffries was taken.
Republicans have blamed Democrats for escalating violent rhetoric in the wake of the shooting at the dinner. Trump had previously faced two assassination attempts, including one in Butler, Pennsylvania, during the 2024 election that left him with a wound to his ear.
Jeffries, who unveiled the “maximum warfare” campaign — a redistricting initiative— after Democrats passed a 10-1 redraw in Virginia last month, in particular has drawn Trump’s ire. Trump called the seven-term lawmaker “Hakeem 'Low IQ' Jeffries” on Thursday.
When asked for comment, Jeffries' office referred POLITICO to a post from the minority leader on X on Thursday.
“The Knicks are up 2-0 and I have to wake up to another deranged rant from this guy,” he wrote. “Gas prices are sky high, grocery bills are surging and families can't catch a break. Democrats are about to take back the House and you're losing your mind. Where's the luv?”
But Jeffries is far from the only high-profile Democrat Trump has pushed to prosecute in recent months.
The president accused six Democrats — including battleground Sens. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) and Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.) of “sedition” last November after they made a video urging service members to disobey illegal orders. Democrats filed police complaints after Trump called for them to be arrested and even hanged.
A grand jury in February rejected D.C. U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro’s effort to indict the six lawmakers.
Last September, Trump urged then-Attorney General Pam Bondi to move faster in charging several of his longtime political opponents, including Sen. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) and New York Attorney General Letitia James.
James was indicted just weeks later, but the charges were later dropped.
When LB Carson Schwesinger walked into CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on April 7 for the beginning of the voluntary workout program, he felt a sense of familiarity and excitement to start off his second year in the NFL.
Just about a year ago, Schwesinger was selected as the 33rd overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft by the Browns and went on to win the AP Defensive Rookie of the Year for his play during his rookie season. He led all NFL rookies with 146 tackles and 11 tackles for loss and was tied for third in interceptions.
Now, as his second year begins, Schwesinger is already focused on building off a successful first season.
"My whole family was there which was cool to share that with all of them, it's a great honor," Schwesinger said. "But now I guess the mindset is just, what's next? And keep building off of it."
In the interim, the next step is participating in the offseason workout program. He used the time following the end of the season to get healthy and recover from the 2025 season. As they continue through the different phases of the workout program, Schwesinger said he is focused on finding the areas of his game that he can improve.
He has had conversations with run game coordinator and linebackers coach Jason Tarver about aspects of his game to focus on and how he could reach the levels of improvement they want to see.
"I think there's a lot of things to get better at," Schwesinger said. "Whether it's just the preparation throughout the game week and figuring out really what to watch, how to watch film and things like that. But even just in this time, whether it's improving the football knowledge, football intelligence or just finding better ways to attack the ball and really get those punch outs. I think that's something I'm really going to work on this year. And just continuing to grow in terms of patience behind the ball and being able to see things and being ready by the snap."
In order to begin that process, Schwesinger saw value in returning to CrossCountry Mortgage Campus for the voluntary workout program during this stage of the offseason. He also viewed the program as an opportunity to meet new head coach Todd Monken and defensive coordinator Mike Rutenberg.
"For me, I just want to be able to do as much as I can and get better," Schwesinger said. "And I think the place for me to do that is here. And obviously we have Rudy here and a lot of whole new coaches, so I think it's important to get to meet them as well and understand them. I was excited to be around all the guys again and see them and be able to work with them."
His coaches expressed the same level of excitement about the opportunity to coach Schwesinger. Monken remembered in 2025 when he was with the Ravens and the defensive coaching staff discussed Schwesinger ahead of the draft.
"I obviously didn't know him as the offensive coordinator, but I remember them speaking of what his superpower was, who he was," Monken said. "And then to see it when we played against him was impressive. Run, chase, hit, very instinctual, loves football, outstanding leader, all of those things and you're like, well, they're right. I'm damn glad he's a Brown."
Not only did Schwesinger lead the Browns in tackles, but he also served as the defensive signal caller by wearing the green dot. He earned the responsibility during training camp and stepped into a vital role as the starting middle linebacker, a role he held for the entirety of his rookie season.
When LB Carson Schwesinger walked into CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on April 7 for the beginning of the voluntary workout program, he felt a sense of familiarity and excitement to start off his second year in the NFL.
Just about a year ago, Schwesinger was selected as the 33rd overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft by the Browns and went on to win the AP Defensive Rookie of the Year for his play during his rookie season. He led all NFL rookies with 146 tackles and 11 tackles for loss and was tied for third in interceptions.
Now, as his second year begins, Schwesinger is already focused on building off a successful first season.
"My whole family was there which was cool to share that with all of them, it's a great honor," Schwesinger said. "But now I guess the mindset is just, what's next? And keep building off of it."
In the interim, the next step is participating in the offseason workout program. He used the time following the end of the season to get healthy and recover from the 2025 season. As they continue through the different phases of the workout program, Schwesinger said he is focused on finding the areas of his game that he can improve.
He has had conversations with run game coordinator and linebackers coach Jason Tarver about aspects of his game to focus on and how he could reach the levels of improvement they want to see.
"I think there's a lot of things to get better at," Schwesinger said. "Whether it's just the preparation throughout the game week and figuring out really what to watch, how to watch film and things like that. But even just in this time, whether it's improving the football knowledge, football intelligence or just finding better ways to attack the ball and really get those punch outs. I think that's something I'm really going to work on this year. And just continuing to grow in terms of patience behind the ball and being able to see things and being ready by the snap."
In order to begin that process, Schwesinger saw value in returning to CrossCountry Mortgage Campus for the voluntary workout program during this stage of the offseason. He also viewed the program as an opportunity to meet new head coach Todd Monken and defensive coordinator Mike Rutenberg.
"For me, I just want to be able to do as much as I can and get better," Schwesinger said. "And I think the place for me to do that is here. And obviously we have Rudy here and a lot of whole new coaches, so I think it's important to get to meet them as well and understand them. I was excited to be around all the guys again and see them and be able to work with them."
His coaches expressed the same level of excitement about the opportunity to coach Schwesinger. Monken remembered in 2025 when he was with the Ravens and the defensive coaching staff discussed Schwesinger ahead of the draft.
"I obviously didn't know him as the offensive coordinator, but I remember them speaking of what his superpower was, who he was," Monken said. "And then to see it when we played against him was impressive. Run, chase, hit, very instinctual, loves football, outstanding leader, all of those things and you're like, well, they're right. I'm damn glad he's a Brown."
Not only did Schwesinger lead the Browns in tackles, but he also served as the defensive signal caller by wearing the green dot. He earned the responsibility during training camp and stepped into a vital role as the starting middle linebacker, a role he held for the entirety of his rookie season.
MTG came to the House with a net worth around $600k she left worth more than $22 million great ROI.
I would love to tell you I am shocked - but I am not. I bet there are plenty of examples like that on both sides. . . obviously with Trump's blatant abuse of office he will be one of the single biggest net gainers in history.
You are promoting things that would be for the good of our entire country and for society as a whole. For all people. You are promoting that the government take some of the money we pay them every year back to help regular people and protect our environment for future generations and less on war and tax breaks for the rich. That must mean you are a communist. If you don't believe me just ask them.
National parks are for everyone. They are a wonderment for all to see. They are a legacy for future generations. Somehow that isn't as important to some people. That speaks volumes in and of itself.
I don't own guns - have no interest in them but I see the need to protect the 2nd amendment (albeit that I think we could improve safety and reduce gun deaths if we tried).
I'm never going to have an abortion - but I see the need to protect women's right to choose. While I can respect others religious beliefs on the subject - I believe in the separation of government policy from religious doctrine.
You could probably make a decently long list of things I don't personally care about - but realise for the betterment of the country/society ... we need to protect or keep systems/organizations etc. It does not take much brain power to look at the benefits of the National Parks - the revenue they generate - to realize what Trump and Project 2025 is advocating / doing - is simply a play to get rich folks even richer at the expense of something that can never be replaced once it is gone. . . Just my opinion of course, but being unable to call it out for what it is under the guise of apathy just indicates someone that has been well and truly groomed how to think and respond.
He knows his situation. Fans will have a short fuse with him. Any mistakes will be met with immediate response from the fans.
If DW is named the starter. Then Monken has his read on Shedeur and it will be telling.
This seasons results will lead to next year's strategy regarding the future of the quarterback position.
I agree. He will make the decisions on who plays. He doesn't care what has happened in the past or who the fans like or dislike. All he cares about it who picks up the playbook, shows leadership and executes the plays.
Maybe you can tell me what crimes they have been convicted of and how many felony counts they were found guilty of? I can show you 34 felony counts trump was convicted on. Let me guess. The fact trump was convicted on 34 felony counts is the fault of the democrats, right? Tell me how it was those evil dems who convicted him and not a jury. Or how it wasn't a jury who found he was libel for sexually assaulting a woman? Let me guess, you have a list of excuses for that one too? Tell me how every election trump or republicans win isn't rigged but every time a democrat wins an election you people claim it was rigged?
Or maybe you can explain this one though I know you will ignore it and just post more BS.... After Trump ordered the bombing on Iran's nuclear facilities in June of 2025 he proclaimed that they, "obliterated Iran's nuclear program setting it back several years if not decades." Then just eight months later he claimed that Iran was less than a month away from having a nuclear weapon. So which of those two times was he lying?
And let's not forget this one. On April 18th, 2026, President Trump claimed Iran "agreed to everything" in negotiations, including removing enriched uranium, ceasing proxy support, and keeping the Strait of Hormuz open.
Once again you prove that every accusation you make is just a confession. Do you call the fact I pointed out that trump has been convicted on 34 felony counts "hate"? Do you call me pointing out that trump made two opposite claims about Iran's nuclear program one of which has to be a lie hate? Because that's usually what you call it when we presented with the facts.
You have TDS. Trump devotion syndrome. No matter what he does, no matter what he says, no matter how many times he lies to you, you remain devoted to him.
Or she could just be a criminal like many Dems are and want to use the sheep in her party's hatred for Trump to try and shield herself from her criminal activity. See Omar and tampon Tim. There are many examples.
"None of this proves wrongdoing. But it highlights something deeply uncomfortable: in a moment when Americans are still debating why the country is involved in global conflicts at all, the people closest to power appear positioned to profit from the weapons and technology used in them."
To say nothing of the $1/2B - $1 Billion placed on oil futures moments/minutes before Trump announced the first ceasefire.
And let's not forget the many Democrats and Republicans who divested huge portfolios on the back of their early Covid briefings while telling the public everything was fine and dandy.
Eric, Don Jr. invest in military drone company amid Iran war
The business of war has always been lucrative. But when the people making money are tied directly to the people making policy, it raises questions Americans should be asking.
A new military drone company called Powerus, backed by investors including the president’s sons, Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump, is planning a strange corporate move: merging with a Florida golf course holding company to create a publicly traded drone business. The deal would combine a defense technology firm with a company that owns golf courses near Orlando, including Kissimmee Bay Country Club and Remington Golf Club. According to the announcement, those courses could even become testing grounds for drone systems.
It’s an unusual pairing. But the bigger issue is who stands to benefit.
Powerus says it builds autonomous drones for military and high-risk environments and wants to scale production to more than 10,000 drones a month. That’s a massive bet on a rapidly expanding market. The Pentagon has already launched initiatives like its Drone Dominance program, which plans to spend about $1.1 billion to buy hundreds of thousands of American-made drone systems by 2027.
And that demand is growing partly because of policy decisions coming out of Washington, including bans on new Chinese-made drones, which have long dominated the global market.
So the same administration shaping the rules of the industry also has family members investing heavily in companies that could fill the gap.
A few days after the U.S. decided to go to war with Iran, Eric Trump wrote on X, “Drones are the wave of the future — Proud of this company and the work that they are doing to keep America safe,” linking to another drone company he invests in.
Donald Trump Jr. is also connected to multiple defense-tech ventures. He sits on the board of drone component company Unusual Machines. Forbes reported, “Unusual Machines is at least the second company that appears to have activated an advisory board specifically to give Trump a role” and “granting him shares worth millions—then announcing at least $15.2 million in military-linked orders, including a direct U.S. Army buy.”
The U.S. Army confirmed the order, but the company did not disclose the price charged to taxpayers.
This isn’t happening in isolation. The United States already spends more on its military than any other country — nearly $1 trillion in 2025, more than the next nine nations combined. President Trump has proposed raising that to $1.5 trillion by 2027.
And throughout Washington, financial ties to the defense industry are common. Marc Berkowitz, who is Trump’s current assistant secretary of Defense for space policy, previously worked at Lockheed Martin and still owns between $1 million and $5 million in company stock.
This is what critics call the modern version of wartime profiteering, when private companies generate enormous revenue from government defense contracts during periods of conflict or geopolitical tension.
None of this proves wrongdoing. But it highlights something deeply uncomfortable: in a moment when Americans are still debating why the country is involved in global conflicts at all, the people closest to power appear positioned to profit from the weapons and technology used in them.
And when war becomes this intertwined with business, it’s fair for people to question if it stops being just about national security.
A vital element in keeping the peace is our military establishment. Our arms must be mighty, ready for instant action, so that no potential aggressor may be tempted to risk his own destruction. . . . American makers of plowshares could, with time and as required, make swords as well. But now we can no longer risk emergency improvisation of national defense; we have been compelled to create a permanent armaments industry of vast proportions. . . . This conjunction of an immense military establishment and a large arms industry is new in the American experience. . . .Yet we must not fail to comprehend its grave implications. . . . In the councils of government, we must guard against the acquisition of unwarranted influence, whether sought or unsought, by the military-industrial complex. The potential for the disastrous rise of misplaced power exists and will persist.
Virginia’s L. Louise Lucas has been brash and unafraid to stand up to Trump. Now, she’s become a target after a major victory.
The FBI raided the Portsmouth, Virginia, office of Virginia Senate President Pro Tempore L. Louise Lucas, a Democratic leader in the state behind its redistricting victory, on Wednesday, ostensibly over corruption allegations.
Lucas, an 82-year-old great-grandmother, has been a frequent critic of Republicans and President Trump, and is an ally to Virginia’s Democratic Governor Abigail Spanberger. Fox News covered the FBI raid live.
The bureau reportedly has multiple search warrants, and is also raiding a cannabis dispensary co-owned by Lucas next door. Lucas has frequently advocated for marijuana legalization, and in 2022, her business was found by the Virginia Mercury to be selling delta-9 THC, a substance illegal to sell in Virginia, although many of the products in her store were found to be mislabeled.
Lucas is combative on social media, posting memes in support of Virginia’s redistricting effort and going toe-to-toe with Republicans like President Trump and Senator Ted Cruz. That could be why she’s being targeted by the FBI, which under director Kash Patel has vindictively pursued Trump’s critics.
I agree no matter how well Watson plays this season we should just let him go when it's over. I like Shedeur but I don't think he's our long term answer.
Trump pauses Hormuz plan 50 hours after he announced it - what happened?
US President Donald Trump has said the military operation to guide stranded merchant ships through the Strait of Hormuz will be paused just two days after he announced it.
Trump declared on Sunday that "Project Freedom" would begin the next morning in an attempt to unblock the crucial waterway which Tehran has effectively closed since the start of the US-Israel war with Iran.
Iran's threats to ships using the strait - through which some 20% of the world's oil and gas flows - has led to large increases in the oil price and fears for the global economy.
But 50 hours later the president posted that the mission was being put on hold "for a short period of time".
His decision came on the same day his defence secretary had declared the US was "leading with strength, clarity and purpose for the benefit of the entire world".
BBC Verify has put together a timeline of what happened during the two days of "Project Freedom".
Sunday - Trump announces 'Project Freedom'
"For the good of Iran, the Middle East, and the United States, we have told these Countries that we will guide their Ships safely out of these restricted Waterways, so that they can freely and ably get on with their business," Trump posted on his Truth Social social media platform at 21:35 BST (20:35 GMT).
"I have told my Representatives to inform them that we will use best efforts to get their Ships and Crews safely out of the Strait."
According to the Baltic and International Maritime Council shipping association some 1,000 vessels with around 20,000 seafarers on board are currently stranded in the region.
Trump said the "humanitarian gesture" would start on "Monday morning Middle East time".
"I am fully aware that my Representatives are having very positive discussions with the Country of Iran, and that these discussions could lead to something very positive for all," he added.
Monday - Two ships reportedly pass through strait
Just after midnight UK time on Monday, the US military's Central Command (Centcom) posted that its forces "will begin supporting Project Freedom, 4 May, to restore freedom of navigation for commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz".
Centcom said "Project Freedom" would involve guided-missile destroyers, more than 100 land and sea-based aircraft, and 15,000 service personnel.
According to UKMTO - the British military's operation tracking threats to shipping in the Middle East - the US was advising vessels to pass through a "security area" off the Oman coast.
Later that day, Centcom posted: "As a first step, two US-flagged merchant vessels have successfully transited through the Strait of Hormuz and are safely headed on their journey."
And according to Trump, during the first day of the operation the US military struck seven Iranian "fast boats" in the strait - a claim disputed by Iranian media. The Tasnim news agency reported military sources saying that two small cargo vessels had been hit killing five civilians.
On Monday the UAE's foreign ministry reported a tanker affiliated with Adnoc - its state-owned oil company - was hit in the Strait of Hormuz and South Korea reported an explosion on one of its ships anchored just off the UAE.
A fire also broke out at the oil port of Fujairah after what the UAE said was an Iranian attack, which Iran denied.
Tuesday - US officials talk up the project
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs General Dan Caine focused on "Project Freedom" at a Pentagon news conference on Tuesday.
"Hundreds more ships from nations around the world are lining up to transit", Hegseth said, while Caine added: "Merchant vessels have transited and we anticipate more to transit over the coming days."
Neither offered an exact timeline for how long the project would last, but Hegseth said it was "focused in scope and temporary in duration".
"Project Freedom is under way, commerce will be flowing, and America is once again leading with strength, clarity and purpose for the benefit of the entire world. Our will is unshakable," he added.
Later that day, America's top diplomat, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, spoke to reporters at the White House - saying the US was carrying out the operation as a "favour to the world" as it was "the only country that can project power in that part of the world the way we're doing now".
Later on Tuesday - Trump pauses the project
Just hours after Hegseth and Rubio had spoken, Trump paused "Project Freedom".
At 23:52 BST (22:52 GMT) he posted on Truth Social saying the decision had been made by "mutual agreement" because there had been "great progress" towards a deal with Iran.
"Project Freedom (The Movement of Ships through the Strait of Hormuz) will be paused for a short period of time to see whether or not the Agreement can be finalized and signed," the president posted.
The project - which Hegseth said earlier the same day was part of a "laser-focused strategy" - had been put on hold.
A little over four hours before Trump's announcement a ship belonging to the French CMA CGM group was hit in the Strait of Hormuz - injuring some of the crew and damaging the vessel.
According to the shipping publication Lloyd's List ship owners and insurers said "Project Freedom" had not given them "sufficient clarity or credible protection to justify resuming transits" through the strait.
"Transit volumes through the Strait of Hormuz continue to drop amid escalating security concerns," it added.
Agreed and if I had to put money on it today, I would say we'll be drafting a QB in 2027.
It will take nothing short of a miracle to not be looking QB in round 1 of the 2027 draft.
If Shedeur is the starter, there is a chance, however, he will have to take one of the biggest leaps of any player in history to dissuade them from looking QB in 2027.
If Watson is the starter, there is 0% chance we are not looking QB in the first round. Even if he plays like he did during his best year of his career, his contract ends at the end of the season and he will be looking at free agency to be on another team in 2027. Even if we wanted him, he is a selfish human being that only wants to maximize his dollar in any way he possibly can.
Monken may not have been here during the " DW fiasco" but his boss was. And his boss in the man in charge here. The history is evident. Ignoring that history will not serve him well. If he doesn't know it, it's because he stuck his fingers in his ears and screamed, "la,la,la,la,la, la!" The entire NFL knows what happened.
