The U.S. military said Saturday that it disabled a merchant vessel attempting to enter an Iranian port in defiance of a U.S.-enforced maritime blockade, striking the ship’s engine room after repeated warnings were ignored.
According to U.S. Central Command, the Gambia-flagged cargo ship Lian Star failed to respond to more than 20 warnings issued by U.S. forces overnight as it attempted to reach an Iranian port.
American forces subsequently fired a missile that disabled the vessel, leaving it adrift in the Gulf of Oman.
A U.S. official familiar with the operation said the ship had not been boarded and remained under observation. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to publicly discuss military operations.
The incident marks the latest enforcement action under the blockade launched by the United States on April 17. According to Central Command, six vessels have now been stopped while attempting to breach the restrictions. One ship was ultimately permitted to continue its voyage, while 116 others have been redirected away from Iranian ports.
Washington imposed the blockade after Iran effectively shut down access through the Strait of Hormuz following the outbreak of conflict in late February, when U.S. and Israeli military operations against Iran began.
Although a ceasefire has largely held since April 7, uncertainty remains over whether the truce can be extended. Negotiators are seeking a possible 60-day extension that would allow additional talks on Iran’s controversial nuclear program.
The Strait of Hormuz, which lies between Iran and Oman, remains one of the world’s most important maritime chokepoints. The disruption of shipping traffic through the region has had significant economic consequences, stranding large volumes of oil, natural gas and agricultural inputs such as fertilizer.
The continuing restrictions have heightened concerns about energy supplies and rising costs for consumers and industries worldwide as diplomatic efforts to resolve the crisis continue.
