US Indo-Pacific Command forces boarded a stateless vessel connected to Iran in the Indian Ocean on June 4 as part of Washington's expanded blockade of Iranian ports, reports the US Naval Institute.

The MT Davina, also known as MT Lenore, was sailing under a false Curacaoan flag, according to the International Maritime Organization. The vessel has been sanctioned by the US due to its links to Iran.

The interdiction was carried out by forces operating from USS John L Canley. US Central Command stated that two more ships were disabled in recent weeks, bringing the total to six vessels blocked from transiting the Strait of Hormuz since the blockade began.

United Against Nuclear Iran reported that Iran's oil exports fell by more than 90 percent in May. The group indicated that exports dropped to 2.01 million barrels, valued at US$219 million, down 94 percent from April.

Charlie Brown, senior advisor to UANI, noted that Iran faces storage issues and funding problems if exports remain restricted, while China is burning through floating reserves. He added that the economic crunch is likely to impact both Tehran and Beijing.

Lloyd's List Intelligence reported 37 transits through the strait between May 18-24 and 40 transits the following week, with a rise in dark transits where ships switch off identification systems. Overall, May saw the slowest traffic since the war began on February 28.

Lloyd's List editor Richard Meade stated that Iran's sanctions-busting network has been reduced to small, high-risk voyages, with most oil sitting idle offshore. He noted that risks for non-Iranian ships remain unchanged, with 142 non-Iranian vessels exiting the strait since March.

On June 1, containership MSC Sariska V was likely hit by a drone in Um-Qasr, Iraq. MSC reported that the crew was safe. The vessel is the 46th ship, tug, or rig to be struck or caught near attacks since the conflict began, with 11 seafarer deaths recorded by the IMO.