Washington, United States – Web Desk: The United States military said it disabled a cargo vessel attempting to reach an Iranian port in violation of a maritime blockade being enforced in and around the Strait of Hormuz.
In a statement posted by U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), American forces said they targeted the Gambia-flagged vessel M/V Lian Star after it allegedly ignored repeated warnings while heading toward an Iranian port.
According to CENTCOM, U.S. forces identified the vessel in international waters in the Gulf of Oman and issued more than 20 warnings, informing the crew that the ship was violating the blockade. The statement said the vessel continued its course despite repeated instructions to alter direction.
CENTCOM stated that a U.S. aircraft subsequently launched a Hellfire missile at the ship’s engine room after the crew failed to comply with the warnings. The strike reportedly disabled the vessel, preventing it from reaching Iran.
The U.S. military further said that its forces have intensified enforcement operations in the Strait of Hormuz, claiming that five commercial vessels have been disabled and 116 others have been redirected as part of blockade enforcement efforts.
The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the world’s most strategically important maritime chokepoints, carrying a significant share of global energy shipments. Developments in the region continue to draw close international attention due to their potential impact on global trade, shipping security, and energy markets.
