US Central Command (CENTCOM) reported that it took action to stop a Gambia-flagged ship from reaching an Iranian port. The vessel, named M/V Lian Star, was sailing towards an Iranian port in the Gulf of Oman. Despite receiving over 20 warnings about violating the US blockade, the ship’s crew did not comply.
In response, a US aircraft disabled the vessel by firing a Hellfire missile into its engine room. Following this incident, the ship is no longer en route to Iran. CENTCOM mentioned that this is the fifth commercial vessel disabled by the US military and that 116 vessels have been redirected during the naval blockade.
The blockade was initiated by US President Donald Trump after failed negotiations between Iranian and American representatives in April. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed that the blockade remains in effect, despite potential discussions between the US and Iran regarding the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, a decision still pending.
The blockade specifically targets Iranian ships heading to Iranian ports, impacting the country’s oil revenue significantly. The Pentagon estimated that Iran has lost approximately $4.8 billion in oil revenue due to these measures. Previously, US forces intercepted an Iranian-flagged cargo vessel in the Arabian Sea on April 19, enforcing similar naval blockade actions.
