The U.S. military enforcing a blockade of Iranian ports has opened fire on an Iranian-flagged crude oil tanker en route to Iran, according to U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM).
An F/A-18 Super Hornet launched from the USS Abraham Lincoln fired multiple rounds from its 20mm cannon, striking the merchant tanker Hasna and disabling its rudder. CENTCOM stated that the vessel was no longer transiting to Iran following the strike.
According to CENTCOM, the vessel received repeated warnings and was only fired upon after failing to comply with U.S. orders. The tanker was traveling toward an Iranian port in the Gulf of Oman and was considered in violation of the blockade.
The blockade is a component of the Trump administration's military and economic pressure campaign against Tehran. This operation has restricted shipping lanes within the Strait of Hormuz, which has led to rising gas prices and concerns regarding an energy crisis.
The attack on the Hasna occurred the same day that two other tankers reportedly breached the U.S. blockade. Data from TankerTrackers.com indicated that two empty U.S.-sanctioned vessels managed to enter the blockade perimeter, including one vessel that regularly delivers Iranian liquefied petroleum gas to Houthis in Yemen.
Additionally, a supertanker named HUGE, carrying over 1.9 million barrels of crude oil, reportedly evaded the U.S. Navy after leaving an Iranian port and was spotted transiting Indonesian waters.
The military action follows President Donald Trump's decision to end Project Freedom, a U.S. military operation intended to escort vessels through the Strait of Hormuz, due to reported progress in negotiations with Iran.
During a White House press conference at a military Mother's Day event with First Lady Melania Trump, President Trump stated that Iran intends to negotiate and praised the effectiveness of the blockade. He noted that the Iranians are not getting anything through the blockade.
However, Ebrahim Rezaei, a spokesperson for Iran's parliamentary National Security and Foreign Policy Committee, characterized a 14-point U.S. proposal as an American wish list rather than reality. He stated that the United States would not gain anything in a war they are losing through combat that they could not gain via negotiations.
The United States has been engaged in war with Iran since attacks on Tehran by Iran and Israel in late February, following which a fragile cease-fire was reached on April 8. CENTCOM reported that it has directed 52 vessels to return to port or turn around to comply with the blockade.
