U.S. Forces Attack Ship Attempting to Break Iran Blockade Near Hormuz

U.S. forces engaged and disabled a commercial vessel attempting to breach Washington's blockade of Iranian ports near the Strait of Hormuz, U.S. Central Command (Centcom) reported Saturday. The vessel, identified as the M/V Lian Star, was observed navigating international waters toward an Iranian port in the Gulf of Oman.

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more than 20 warnings, while informing the ship that it was violating the U.S. blockade.

According to Centcom, U.S. forces issued more than 20 warnings to the ship, informing it that it was violating the U.S. blockade. After the vessel ignored these warnings, an aircraft fired upon its engine room, rendering it "inoperable" and preventing it from continuing its course toward Iran. The ship was reportedly sailing under a Gambian flag, a country known for its open maritime registry.

Centcom detailed that U.S. forces have now disabled five commercial vessels and diverted 116 others as part of efforts to enforce the blockade imposed on Iran. This action comes amid ongoing tensions and negotiations between the U.S. and Iran concerning maritime security and the strategic Strait of Hormuz.

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The ship has stopped sailing towards Iran.

President Donald Trump imposed the blockade on Iranian ports in April, reportedly in response to Iran's refusal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. The reopening of this vital waterway has been a key point in negotiations aimed at ending the conflict between the two nations. Washington demands Iran clear mines and cease imposing tolls, while Tehran asserts its "total control" over the strait.

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The president of the U.S., Donald Trump, imposed a blockade on Iranian ports last April in response to Tehran's refusal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.