U.S. Military Attacks an Oil Tanker in the Gulf of Oman
On June 8, Xinhua News Agency reported from Washington (reporters Huang Qiang and Xu Jianmei) that the U.S. Central Command announced on social media that U.S. forces fired on an empty oil tanker attempting to sail to an Iranian port in the Gulf of Oman, rendering it incapable of navigation.
The report stated that the tanker, flying the flag of Palau, "violated the U.S. blockade order" and was sailing towards Iran through the international waters of the Gulf of Oman when the crew refused to comply with U.S. military instructions. An F/A-18 Super Hornet fighter jet from the USS Lincoln launched precision-guided munitions at the tanker, causing it to lose its navigational capability.
The U.S. Central Command stated that since implementing a blockade on maritime traffic to Iranian ports on April 13, U.S. forces have rendered 7 merchant vessels incapable of navigation and forced 134 vessels to change course.
On June 8, U.S. military forces fired on a tanker in the Oman Gulf that was attempting to reach an Iranian port. The tanker, flagged under Palau, was reportedly non-compliant with U.S. orders. An F/A-18 Super Hornet from the USS Lincoln launched precision-guided munitions, disabling the vessel's navigation capabilities. This incident is part of a broader U.S. blockade on Iranian maritime traffic that has affected multiple vessels since April 13.
- U.S. military fired on a tanker in the Oman Gulf.
- The tanker was attempting to reach an Iranian port.
- The tanker was flagged under Palau.
- The U.S. has enforced a blockade on Iranian maritime traffic since April 13.
- Seven vessels have been rendered incapable of navigation since the blockade began.