US strikes 2 ships alleged to have violated blockade on Iran
The United States Central Command (CENTCOM) announced that two Iranian-flagged oil tankers heading toward Iranian ports in the Gulf of Oman were found to be in violation of the blockade imposed on the Tehran administration, and that the ships were struck to prevent them from entering the ports.
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As the US blockade on Iranian ports around the Strait of Hormuz continues, the United States Central Command (CENTCOM) has intervened against two Iranian-flagged oil tankers in the region.
In a statement regarding the incident, CENTCOM noted that two unladen oil tankers, the "M/T Sea Star III" and "M/T Sevda," were identified as violating the blockade by heading toward Iranian ports in the Gulf of Oman.
Following this development, CENTCOM stated that measures under the blockade were put into effect and that an F/A-18 Super Hornet fighter jet took off from the US aircraft carrier USS George H. W. Bush stationed in the region.
It was reported that as part of the intervention against the violation, precision-guided munitions were fired from the aircraft, striking the funnel systems of both tankers and preventing the ships from entering Iranian ports.
"Hasna" tanker was also struck
The statement also recalled the intervention on May 6 against another Iranian-flagged tanker, the "M/T Hasna," which was heading toward a port in Iran. The statement noted that none of the three ships are currently sailing toward Iran.
CENTCOM Commander Admiral Brad Cooper also commented on the matter, stating, "US forces in the Middle East remain committed to the full enforcement of the blockade on ships entering and exiting Iran. Our personnel are performing an extraordinary mission."
The statement further highlighted that CENTCOM forces have neutralized various commercial vessels to ensure compliance with blockade rules, and emphasized that more than 50 ships have been forced to change their routes.