US military fires on Gambia-flagged ship violating Iran blockade
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Vessels anchored in the Strait of Hormuz, as seen from Musandam, Oman, on May 30.
PHOTO: REUTERS
- The US military disabled a Gambia-flagged cargo ship, MV Lian Star, on May 29, firing a missile into its engine room for attempting to reach an Iranian port after ignoring warnings.
- The action is part of a US blockade on Iranian ports, enforced during a ceasefire with Iran as Tehran halts traffic through the Strait of Hormuz.
- US forces have disabled five vessels and redirected 116 to enforce the blockade and reopen the critical Strait of Hormuz waterway.
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WASHINGTON - The US military said on May 30 it had disabled a Gambia-flagged cargo vessel attempting to sail to an Iranian port by launching a missile into its engine room.
US Central Command (CENTCOM), which oversees forces in the Middle East region, said the strike occurred on May 29 after the M/V Lian Star failed to respond to more than 20 warnings.
“A US aircraft disabled the vessel by firing a Hellfire missile into the ship’s engine room after Lian Star’s crew failed to comply. The ship is no longer transiting to Iran,” CENTCOM said on X.
The statement did not mention if there were any injuries aboard the Lian Star following the strike.
“US forces have disabled five commercial vessels and redirected 116 to fully enforce the blockade as a ceasefire with Iran remains in effect,” CENTCOM said.
The United States has been enforcing a blockade of Iranian ports as Tehran effectively halts all traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, a key transit point for global oil and gas.
Talks on a longterm end to the war and reopening the waterway have yet to reach a final agreement. AFP
