US military disables commercial vessel in Gulf of Oman
A US military aircraft fired on a commercial ship in the Gulf of Oman after it attempted to breach the American blockade on Iran, US Central Command said.
Key Takeaways
AIUS Central Command said late Saturday that a military aircraft fired on a commercial vessel attempting to breach the US-imposed blockade on Iran, disabling the ship.
The command added that the cargo ship, sailing under the flag of Saint Kitts, tried to leave territorial waters after visiting an Iranian port. A US aircraft launched precision munitions at the rear of the vessel after American forces ordered the crew to vacate targeted areas.
The US military also announced today that, as part of the maritime blockade in place against Iran for several months, it will establish a special task force to counter Tehran's transfer of advanced weapons and other sanctioned materials across its land borders and via the Caspian Sea.
According to Central Command estimates, the naval blockade has prevented Iran from exporting more than $25 billion worth of crude oil.
US President Donald Trump has threatened to launch a new attack on Iran.
Tehran has warned it will respond broadly by targeting infrastructure in the Gulf, raising tensions across the region.