In brief
US forces report disabling an unladen oil tanker on a voyage to Iran, after repeated warnings were ignored. The incident follows Washington’s enforcement of the Strait of Hormuz blockade, an action that has heightened tensions in the region.
The U.S. Central Command claims it has struck and disabled an unladen oil tanker that was sailing toward Iran as part of Washington’s naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.
According to the statement, a U.S. aircraft fired a Hellfire missile into the engine room of the Botswana‑flagged M/T vessel after its crew ignored repeated warnings.
Centcom released footage that it alleges shows the tanker being hit on Tuesday. Iran has yet to issue a public comment on the incident.
The U.S. military began enforcing its blockade of all vessels entering and exiting Iranian ports on 13 April, further restricting maritime activity in the region.
