The U.S. military fired on an oil tanker, causing it to lose navigational capability.
On July 24, Xinhua News Agency reported from Washington (reporters Huang Qiang and Xu Jianmei) that Tim Hawkins, a spokesperson for the U.S. Central Command, told American media that U.S. forces fired on a tanker heading towards Iran in the Gulf of Oman that day, rendering it incapable of navigation.
Hawkins stated that the tanker violated the U.S. maritime blockade against Iran, attempting to breach the blockade at least four times, with the crew repeatedly ignoring warnings and refusing to cooperate. The U.S. military subsequently fired on the engine room of the tanker, preventing it from continuing its voyage.
This is the second commercial vessel to be struck by U.S. forces and rendered incapable of navigation since the U.S. military resumed its maritime blockade against Iran on the 14th of this month. Additionally, U.S. forces have forced 12 vessels to change their course.
On July 24, U.S. Central Command fired on a tanker in the Gulf of Oman, rendering it incapable of navigation. The tanker was reportedly attempting to breach a blockade aimed at Iran and had ignored multiple warnings. This incident marks the second such engagement since the U.S. reinstated its maritime blockade on July 14.
- U.S. military fired on a tanker in the Gulf of Oman on July 24.
- The tanker was heading towards Iran and attempted to breach a blockade.
- This is the second tanker rendered incapable of navigation since July 14.
- The U.S. military has forced 12 vessels to change course since the blockade was reinstated.