US forces struck and disabled a tanker in the Gulf after it attempted to run a US blockade at least four times, CENTCOM said. Spokesman Tim Hawkins said the crew ignored repeated warnings and US forces fired into the vessel's engine room to stop it. CENTCOM said the tanker is no longer heading to Iran. The action follows the recent resumption of a blockade on Iranian ports after a similar operation from April to mid‑June.
US Forces Strike and Disable Tanker Trying To Reach Iranian Port, CENTCOM Says
FILE PHOTO - A satellite image, captured by NASA, shows the Strait of Hormuz, which connects the Gulf of Oman (L) with the Persian Gulf (R) and separates Iran (below) from the countries of the Arabian Peninsula—Oman, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar. (is associated with: «US military strikes tanker bound for Iranian port») -/Nasa/dpa
US forces struck and disabled a tanker in the Gulf on Friday as it attempted to reach an Iranian port, the US Central Command (CENTCOM) said.
CENTCOM spokesman Tim Hawkins said the vessel tried to breach the blockade at least four times. "The crew was repeatedly warned, did not comply, and US forces on scene disabled the ship after firing into its engine room," he said. CENTCOM added the ship is no longer transiting to Iran.
What Happened
According to CENTCOM, the ship ignored repeated warnings to stop and attempted to run the blockade multiple times before US forces took action to disable it. The strikes were aimed at preventing the vessel from continuing toward an Iranian port.
Context
The US recently resumed blockading vessels entering or leaving Iranian ports and coastal areas earlier this month. A similar naval blockade was imposed from mid-April during the Iran war and was lifted in mid-June under a framework agreement with Tehran.
Tim Hawkins, CENTCOM Spokesman: "The crew was repeatedly warned, did not comply, and US forces on scene disabled the ship after firing into its engine room."
CENTCOM has not provided additional details about any casualties, damage assessments beyond the engine room strike, or the identity and nationality of the tanker. Further updates may follow as US forces and regional partners continue operations in the area.
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