US Forces Disable Ship in Gulf of Oman Amid Iran Blockade

The US military has intercepted another merchant vessel attempting to break the American blockade of Iranian ports, disabling a Gambia-flagged ship in the Gulf of Oman after it ignored repeated warnings.

The vessel ignored several warnings from US forces overnight as it tried to enter an Iranian port, according to an official who spoke on condition of anonymity. The ship was disabled by US aircraft and continues to drift in the Gulf of Oman. US troops have not boarded it.

The Associated Press (AP) reports that the US military has so far stopped six ships attempting to break the blockade, with one vessel permitted to continue its voyage.

Since the start of the Middle East war, Iran has effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz, a critical artery for global oil supply. The US military is enforcing a blockade of Iran's ports and coastline, intercepting ships linked to Tehran at sea. According to the AP, the blockade aims to curb Iran's own shipments, weaken its access to revenue and pressure its already strained economy. The US also seeks to force Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and accept an agreement to end the war.

(reuters, ap, tasr)