The United States military said Saturday that it disabled a cargo ship bound for Iran after the vessel allegedly ignored repeated warnings while attempting to sail toward an Iranian port.
According to United States Central Command (CENTCOM), a US aircraft fired a Hellfire missile at the engine room of the Gambia-flagged cargo vessel M/V Lian Star on May 29 after its crew failed to respond to more than 20 warnings.
The military said the strike rendered the vessel inoperable and prevented it from continuing its journey to Iran.
In a statement posted on social media, CENTCOM said the ship was no longer transiting to Iran following the operation.
The US military did not provide details on whether any crew members were injured.
The incident comes amid heightened tensions in the region, where the United States has been enforcing a blockade of Iranian ports while Tehran continues restrictions on maritime traffic through the strategically important Strait of Hormuz.
CENTCOM said US forces have so far disabled five commercial vessels and redirected 116 others as part of efforts to enforce the blockade while a ceasefire between the United States and Iran remains in place.
The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world`s most important energy transit routes, carrying a significant share of global oil and gas shipments.
Ongoing disruptions in the waterway have contributed to concerns in international energy markets.
Diplomatic efforts aimed at securing a long-term settlement and restoring normal shipping operations through the strait remain underway, though negotiators have yet to reach a final agreement.
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