US forces disable ship after it breaches Iran blockade
The action occurred in the Gulf of Oman, marking the first confirmed strike on a cargo vessel in nearly a month.
By Rebecca Svoboda ·
U.S. Central Command disabled a commercial vessel on Saturday after the ship attempted to leave the Gulf of Oman. The St. Kitts-flagged vessel had recently visited an Iranian port. Command officials stated that the ship ignored multiple warnings before U.S. forces opened fire.
The incident marks the first confirmed U.S. strike on a cargo vessel in the region since late October. U.S. forces have enforced a naval blockade in and around the Strait of Hormuz for months. This waterway remains a critical route for global shipping, including oil transport.
President Donald Trump announced new limited strikes against Iran on Friday. He identified an Iranian air defense system as the target and described the military action to reporters as minor. Central Command did not immediately comment on that specific strike, a pattern that has emerged in recent weeks.
Officials at the command have declined to confirm previous strikes when asked about local reports of explosions. At least two instances have occurred where the military did not announce actions taken in the region. This lack of transparency has created uncertainty among observers.
Iran state media reported hearing explosions on Qeshm Island in the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday evening. Reports also indicated several explosions in the port of Jask. It was not immediately clear what caused these blasts. The U.S. military had not responded to requests for comment as of the latest reports.
