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The Big Story
US military boards oil tanker in Gulf of Oman
The U.S. military boarded a sanctioned oil tanker in the Gulf of Oman on Thursday as U.S. forces continued to enforce the naval blockade that went into effect this week.
Associated Press
U.S. Marines from the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit, a forward-deployed, rapid-response unit based in California, boarded the M/T Wen Yao, marking the first boarding of a vessel since the naval blockade resumed Tuesday evening, the U.S. Central Command (Centcom) said.
So far, U.S. forces in Centcom theater have redirected three commercial vessels attempting to breach the blockade, disabled one ship that didn’t comply and now boarded its first to ensure full compliance with the U.S. naval blockade in the Strait of Hormuz.
“The Strait of Hormuz and the surrounding waters remain free and open, except for vessels attempting to violate America’s steel wall blockade,” Centcom said.
M/T Wen Yao was sanctioned by the U.S. government in 2024 for purportedly transporting Iranian crude oil and for its assistance to the National Iranian Oil Company.
Earlier on Thursday, the U.S. military began conducting another wave of airstrikes against Iran, marking the sixth consecutive day the U.S. has waged attacks against Tehran.
White House said that despite the strikes, Iranian officials are still talking to the Trump administration.
“Iran very much continues to talk to the United States of America and express that they want to make a deal with us because they are suffering devastating blows on behalf of our United States military,” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters during a Thursday White House briefing.
Welcome to The Hill’s Defense & National Security newsletter, I’m Filip Timotija — your guide to the latest developments at the Pentagon, on Capitol Hill and beyond.
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Essential Reads
How policy will affect defense and national security now and in the future:
House GOP pulls military benefits bill that has divided veterans groups
House Republican leadership on Thursday canceled a vote on a massive military benefits package that would pay for expanded compensation for veterans by cutting some future disability claims —a controversial measure that has divided veterans groups. GOP leaders ran into a roadblock on a Democratic-led procedural vote to send the bill back to committee, with four Republicans taking the unusual step of voting with Democrats …
Full Story
US military unleashes strikes on Iran for sixth consecutive day
The U.S. military began conducting another wave of airstrikes against Iran on Thursday, marking the sixth consecutive day Washington has launched attacks aimed at degrading Tehran’s military capabilities. The strikes, which began at 2 p.m. EDT, according to the U.S. Central Command, kicked off less than an hour after the White House said Iranian officials were communicating with the Trump administration despite the barrage …
Full Story
House Democrat: Hegseth testosterone screenings indicative of ‘homoeroticism’
Rep. Becca Balint (D-Vt.) on Thursday said Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s testosterone screening requirement for U.S. service members is indicative of “homoeroticism.” Hegseth announced this week that the Pentagon will give the screenings to service members 30 years and older, regardless of gender. Should treatment be recommended following the test, they will have the choice to receive testosterone replacement …
Full Story
Massie says Democratic support for cutting off aid to Israel ‘a sign of shifting perceptions’
Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) said Thursday that widespread Democratic support in the House for an amendment to cut off U.S. aid to Israel is “a sign of shifting perceptions.” “I was the only Republican to say that, you know, ‘Yes, we need to not send American tax dollars overseas,’” Massie said on MS NOW’s “Morning Joe.” “And I think it’s a sign of shifting perceptions, not just among Americans, but also among their elected …
Full Story
In Other News
Branch out with a different read from The Hill:
New York Times files motion to quash subpoenas following Air Force One coverage
The New York Times has filed a motion pushing back against subpoenas issued to its reporters by the Trump administration following a report on the new Air Force One, the paper reported Wednesday. According to the Times, the outlet’s top newsroom lawyer, David McCraw, said in a Wednesday statement …
Full StoryOn Tap Tomorrow
Events in and around the defense world:
- The Atlantic Council is hosting a discussion tomorrow at 10 a.m. ET on “The NATO Summit and the future of US-Turkish defense relations.”
- The Aspen Institute is hosting the fourth day of its security forum.
- The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies is hosting a discussion tomorrow at 12 p.m. ET with Lt. Gen. Gregory J. Gagnon.
What We’re Reading
News we’ve flagged from other outlets:
- Pentagon’s testosterone program builds on ‘operator syndrome’ worries in special operations, Task & Purpose reports.
- Blue Water Autonomy, Saildrone launch lawsuits against Navy over MUSV Marketplace, Breaking Defense reports.
- Trump has declared the Strait of Hormuz open. The facts say otherwise, The Washington Post reports.
Trending Today
Two key stories on The Hill right now:
Trump fires new Seattle prosecutor less than an hour after appointment
President Trump on Wednesday fired U.S. Attorney Roger Rogoff less than an hour after he was appointed as the top federal prosecutor in the Western … Read more
Senate passes resolution saying Bankman-Fried shouldn’t receive pardon
The Senate unanimously passed a resolution Wednesday declaring that FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried should not receive a pardon. Bankman-Fried, who was … Read more
Opinions in The Hill
Op-eds related to defense & national security submitted to The Hill:
- As Putin loses confidence in his military, Ukraine presses harder
- The National Guard cannot serve two masters
- Another blockade of Iran is doomed to fail
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