The US military said on Wednesday it had disabled an Iranian-flagged oil tanker in the Gulf of Oman after the vessel ignored warnings that it was violating a US naval blockade.
In a post on X, US Central Command said the tanker had been targeted after failing to comply with repeated instructions.
“U.S. forces operating in the Gulf of Oman enforced blockade measures by disabling an Iranian-flagged unladen oil tanker attempting to sail toward an Iranian port at 9 a.m. ET, May 6,” CENTCOM said.
The military said it had tracked the vessel, identified as the M/T Hasna, as it transited international waters en route to an Iranian port.
“American forces issued multiple warnings and informed the Iranian-flagged vessel it was in violation of the U.S. blockade,” CENTCOM added.
After the crew failed to respond, US forces fired on the tanker.
“After Hasna’s crew failed to comply with repeated warnings, U.S. forces disabled the tanker’s rudder by firing several rounds from the 20mm cannon gun of a U.S. Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet launched from USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72). Hasna is no longer transiting to Iran.”
CENTCOM stressed that enforcement measures remain in place.
“The U.S. blockade against ships attempting to enter or depart Iranian ports remains in full effect. CENTCOM forces continue to act deliberately and professionally to ensure compliance.”
