New Delhi, May 6: The US military tonight said it has “disabled” an Iranian-flagged oil vessel in the Gulf of Oman by firing artillery at it for “violating” the blockade being enforced by America.
In a statement, US Central Command (CENTCOM) said its forces observed M/T Hasna as it transited international waters enroute to an Iranian port on the Gulf of Oman at around 9 AM Eastern Time on May 6.
“The American forces issued multiple warnings and informed the Iranian-flagged vessel it was in violation of the U.S. blockade,” it said.
“After Hasna’s crew failed to comply with repeated warnings, U.S. forces disabled the tanker’s rudder by firing several rounds from the 20 mm cannon gun of a U.S. Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet launched from USS Abraham Lincoln,” the statement said.
Hasna is no longer transiting to Iran, it added.
The U.S. blockade against ships attempting to enter or depart Iranian ports remains in full effect. CENTCOM forces continue to act deliberately and professionally to ensure compliance,” it said
