Washington, United States – Web Desk: US forces disabled another commercial oil tanker in the Gulf of Oman during an enforcement operation tied to a US maritime blockade, according to US Central Command (CENTCOM).
CENTCOM said the tanker, identified as the Guinea-Bissau-flagged M/T Jalweer, was attempting to transport Iranian oil through the Gulf of Oman in violation of US directives. The vessel was reportedly targeted after its crew repeatedly failed to comply with instructions.
According to the US military, an aircraft fired two Hellfire missiles at the ship’s engine room, rendering the vessel inoperable. No independent confirmation of the operation was immediately available.
CENTCOM said this was the third commercial vessel disabled this week. It previously reported actions against two Palau-flagged ships, M/T Mary Vex and M/T Sete Belo, alleging that one was heading toward an Iranian port and the other was attempting to transport Iranian oil.
The command said that since the blockade began on 13 April, US forces have disabled nine vessels, redirected 135 ships, and allowed 42 humanitarian aid vessels to pass.
The reported operation comes amid heightened tensions between Washington and Tehran and growing concerns over energy shipments and maritime security in the Gulf region.
