U.S. aircraft disables cargo ship attempting to breach Gulf of Oman blockade
U.S. Central Command reported that an American military aircraft fired precision munitions at a St. Kitts-flagged cargo vessel in the Gulf of Oman after it tried to leave regional waters, and announced a new task force to curb Iran's illicit weapons transfers.
U.S. Central Command said an American military aircraft fired precision munitions at the stern of a St. Kitts-flagged cargo vessel in the Gulf of Oman on Saturday after the ship attempted to depart regional waters following a visit to an Iranian port. The crew was instructed to abandon targeted areas before the strike, which disabled the vessel, the command added.
The United States, which has maintained a naval blockade on Iran for months, announced the launch of a task force aimed at disrupting Tehran's movement of advanced weapons and other sanctioned materials across its land borders and through the Caspian Sea. Central Command estimated that the blockade has prevented Iran from exporting more than $25 billion in crude oil.
President Donald Trump has indicated the possibility of a new offensive against Iran, while Tehran has warned of retaliation against Gulf infrastructure.