U.S. Navy Warplane Disables Iranian Tanker After Repeated Warnings Over Naval Blockade Violation

The United States military said its forces disabled an Iranian-flagged oil tanker in the Gulf of Oman after the vessel allegedly ignored repeated warnings and attempted to continue toward an Iranian port in violation of a US naval blockade.

According to US Central Command (CENTCOM), the incident happened at around 9 a.m. ET on May 6.

American forces tracked the unladen tanker M/T Hasna while it was sailing through international waters toward the Gulf of Oman.

CENTCOM said US forces repeatedly warned the tanker that it was violating the blockade imposed by Washington on vessels attempting to enter or leave Iranian ports.

After the crew reportedly failed to respond, a US Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet launched from the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) fired several rounds from its 20mm cannon, disabling the ship’s rudder.

The US military stated that the tanker was no longer transiting toward Iran following the action.

CENTCOM said the blockade against vessels attempting to access Iranian ports “remains in full effect” and added that US forces would continue enforcing the restrictions in the region.

The incident is the second known case of US forces firing on an Iranian-linked vessel since the blockade began on April 13.

Earlier on April 19, another Iranian-flagged vessel, M/V Touska, reportedly ignored repeated warnings from a US destroyer while attempting to continue toward Iran.

CENTCOM said the US warship ordered the crew to evacuate the engine room before firing multiple rounds from its five-inch gun and disabling the vessel.

The blockade was introduced after peace talks reportedly failed to reach an agreement last month.

US President Donald Trump had announced on Truth Social that American forces would intercept ships attempting to enter or leave Iranian ports through the Strait of Hormuz.

CENTCOM also said on Monday that more than 50 commercial vessels had either turned around or returned to port to comply with the blockade.

The United States has increased its military presence around the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s busiest oil shipping routes.

Per reports, the region currently hosts a large deployment of US military assets, including Navy warships, Air Force fighter aircraft, Army attack helicopters and nearly 15,000 personnel.

CENTCOM recently launched “Project Freedom,” an operation aimed at protecting commercial shipping transiting through the Strait of Hormuz.

Earlier this week, US forces said they destroyed six Iranian small boats along with cruise missiles and drones that were allegedly launched by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps against ships being escorted through the strait.

Despite the recent incidents, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Caine said a four-week-old ceasefire linked to the conflict was still holding.

Project Freedom was later paused after President Trump announced that the operation would be suspended temporarily while the United States worked toward an agreement with Iran.

Reports on Wednesday said Washington and Tehran were discussing a possible memorandum aimed at ending the conflict.

The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the most important maritime routes for global oil and gas trade, and shipping companies continue to monitor the security situation closely.

Reference: US Centcom