US Navy disables two more tankers violating Iran blockade
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US Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed today that American forces have disabled two additional vessels, the M/T Sea Star III and M/T Sevda, as they attempted to breach the ongoing naval blockade of Iran.
The operation, carried out on May 8, targeted the Iranian-flagged unladen oil tankers just before they could reach a port on the Gulf of Oman.
Surgical strikes from the air
The mission was executed by a U.S. Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet launched from the USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77).
Precision engagement: The fighter jet fired precision munitions directly into the smokestacks of both tankers.
The result: The strikes successfully disabled the engines of the non-compliant ships, preventing them from entering Iranian waters.
Ongoing enforcement pattern
This latest action follows a similar engagement on May 6, involving the M/T Hasna. In that instance, an F/A-18 from the USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) used its 20mm cannon to destroy the tanker’s rudder, bringing the vessel to a halt.
CENTCOM confirmed that all three recently targeted ships are no longer transiting toward Iran.
Command perspective
Admiral Brad Cooper, Commander of CENTCOM, reiterated the military's firm stance on the maritime restrictions.
"US forces in the Middle East remain committed to full enforcement of the blockade of vessels entering or leaving Iran," Adm. Cooper stated. "Our highly trained men and women in uniform are doing incredible work."
To date, US forces have disabled multiple commercial vessels and redirected over 50 others to ensure strict compliance with the blockade.
