CENTCOM stated in a post on the social media platform X, 'U.S. forces operating in the Gulf of Oman intercepted a Gambian-flagged vessel attempting to reach an Iranian port on May 29, enforcing a blockade.'

The statement noted that U.S. forces 'observed the M/V Lian Star's passage through international waters toward an Iranian port in the Gulf of Oman and issued more than 20 warnings to the vessel for violating the U.S. blockade.'

In the announcement from CENTCOM, it was stated, 'After the Lian Star crew failed to comply with orders, a U.S. aircraft fired a Hellfire missile at the engine compartment of the vessel, rendering it inoperable. The ship is no longer en route to Iran.'

The report also indicated that U.S. forces had neutralized five commercial vessels and redirected 116 others to different routes in order to 'fully enforce the blockade' while a ceasefire with Iran was in effect.

In response to Tehran's closure of the Strait of Hormuz following the outbreak of war on February 28 due to U.S. and Israeli attacks, the U.S. initiated a maritime blockade against Iran on April 17.

Source: SeaNews Türkiye