The US military said on Wednesday (6 May) that US forces fired on an Iranian-flagged oil tanker in the Gulf of Oman after the vessel allegedly tried to breach Washington’s blockade of Iranian ports.
According to U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), a U.S. Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet from the USS Abraham Lincoln fired several rounds from its 20mm cannon at the tanker M/T Hasna, knocking out its rudder and preventing it from proceeding toward Iran.
CENTCOM said the tanker ignored repeated warnings issued by US forces operating in international waters.
“U.S. forces operating in the Gulf of Oman enforced blockade measures by disabling an unloaded Iranian-flagged oil tanker attempting to sail to an Iranian port,” CENTCOM said in a statement posted on social media.
The military added that the tanker “failed to heed repeated warnings” before US forces intervened.
CENTCOM says the blockade remains in effect
The US military said the blockade of vessels attempting to enter or leave Iranian ports remains active despite the ongoing ceasefire between Washington and Tehran.
“The US blockade against ships attempting to enter or leave Iranian ports remains in full effect,” CENTCOM said.
The statement added that U.S. forces would continue operations “in a deliberate and professional manner to ensure compliance.”
The incident marks a further escalation of tensions despite ongoing diplomatic efforts aimed at ending the nearly two-month-old conflict between the United States and Iran.
Trump has warned Iran against resuming bombing
The tanker incident comes as President Donald Trump has stepped up pressure on Tehran to accept a proposed deal that could reopen the Strait of Hormuz and ease restrictions linked to the conflict.
Trump warned Iran on Wednesday at the Truth Social that military operations could resume if negotiations fail.
“If they don’t agree, the bombing will begin,” Trump wrote.
Trump also hinted that the conflict could end soon if Iran accepts the proposed terms, although he did not publicly provide details of the reported deal.
The president said reopening the Strait of Hormuz would allow for the restoration of interrupted global oil and gas supplies.
Tensions under the ceasefire remain fragile
The strike on the tanker occurred despite the official ceasefire currently in place between the US and Iran.
Recent reports suggest the two countries are moving closer to a tentative framework agreement that could eventually lead to broader nuclear negotiations and a reduction in military activity.
But Wednesday’s incident underscored how fragile the ceasefire remains as military enforcement actions in the Gulf region continue.
The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the world’s most critical energy shipping routes, and the disruptions associated with the conflict have contributed to instability in global oil markets.
Read also | Iran reviews US proposal to end war, but calls demands ‘exaggerated, unrealistic’
Israel attacks the suburbs of Beirut
In a separate escalation, Israel carried out strikes on the southern suburbs of Beirut on Wednesday, the first since an April 17 ceasefire agreement with Hezbollah.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said the attack targeted commanders from Hezbollah’s elite Radwan units.
The attack is said to have come without warning.
Hezbollah did not immediately comment on the strike.
Although a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah was declared last month, fighting continues in parts of southern Lebanon.
The last major Israeli strikes on Beirut took place on April 8, when large-scale attacks killed more than 350 people, including strikes in central parts of the Lebanese capital.
Read also | US, Iran near one-page deal to end war, begin nuclear talks: Report
