The United States military has fired on and disabled a commercial vessel attempting to breach its naval blockade of Iran, according to the US Central Command (CENTCOM). The St Kitts and Nevis-flagged cargo ship was intercepted in the Gulf of Oman on Saturday, after attempting to leave regional waters following a visit to an Iranian port.
CENTCOM said a US military aircraft fired precision munitions at the vessel’s stern after its civilian crew ignored repeated warnings and attempted several times to violate the blockade. The crew had reportedly been instructed to abandon the targeted areas before the strike.
In a statement, CENTCOM said its forces disabled the vessel after repeated efforts to enforce compliance with the naval restrictions failed. The latest incident comes as Washington intensifies its efforts to restrict Iran’s ability to move oil, weapons and other sanctioned materials.
Also on Saturday, the US military announced plans to establish a task force aimed at disrupting Tehran’s movement of advanced weapons and other restricted materials across its land borders and through the Caspian Sea. CENTCOM estimated that the naval blockade has prevented Iran from exporting more than $25 billion worth of crude oil.
The escalation comes amid renewed tensions between Washington and Tehran, with US President Donald Trump threatening a fresh military offensive against Iran. Tehran, in turn, has warned of sweeping retaliation against critical infrastructure across the Gulf, heightening concerns among countries in the region over the prospect of a wider conflict.