US says forces disabled Iranian-flagged tanker in Gulf of Oman

WASHINGTON: United States forces operating in the Gulf of Oman disabled an Iranian-flagged oil tanker on Wednesday after the vessel allegedly did not comply with warnings linked to an ongoing US maritime blockade, according to a statement issued by US Central Command (CENTCOM).

CENTCOM said the tanker, identified as the M/T Hasna, was seen travelling in international waters toward an Iranian port on the Gulf of Oman at about 9am Eastern Time, or 1400 GMT.

According to the US military command, its forces issued multiple warnings to the vessel’s crew, telling them the tanker was in violation of the blockade.

After Hasna’s crew failed to comply with repeated warnings, US forces disabled the tanker’s rudder by firing several rounds from the 20mm cannon gun of a US Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet launched from USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72). Hasna is no longer transiting to Iran.

CENTCOM also said the US blockade on ships attempting to enter or leave Iranian ports remains in place.

in full effect.

the command said.

Blockade remains in place amid wider tensions

The development comes against the backdrop of heightened regional tensions since the United States and Israel launched strikes against Iran on Feb. 28. Tehran responded with attacks against Israel and US allies in the Gulf, while the Strait of Hormuz was also closed.

A ceasefire took effect on April 8 through Pakistani mediation, but talks held in Islamabad did not result in a lasting settlement. The truce was later extended by US President Donald Trump without any specified deadline.

Since April 13, the United States has been enforcing a naval blockade aimed at Iranian maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz.

Trump announced on Tuesday that the US military would temporarily pause Project Freedom, which he said was intended to restore freedom of navigation for commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. At the same time, he said the blockade would remain in place.

in full force and effect.

The incident involving the M/T Hasna is the latest action announced by CENTCOM under that blockade framework. The US military statement specifically described the vessel as Iranian-flagged and unladen.

No further operational details about the tanker, its crew, or its condition beyond the disabled rudder were included in the CENTCOM statement cited in the report.