US forces have halted an Iranian-flagged oil tanker in the Gulf of Oman after the vessel ignored repeated warnings and tried to reach an Iranian port in violation of a naval blockade.
The empty tanker, named M/T Hasna, was moving through international waters on Wednesday morning when American personnel from the USS Abraham Lincoln issued several clear messages to turn back.
The crew continued on their course, prompting US forces to disable the ship’s rudder and bring it to a stop.
No one on board was hurt in the process.
This marks the latest step in a blockade that Washington put in place around mid-April, following the end of peace talks with Iran.
The measure aims to prevent ships from entering or leaving Iranian ports.
Officials say the tanker posed no immediate danger to other vessels, and operations in the area returned to normal once the ship lost the ability to move forward.
The US Central Command confirmed that the blockade remains fully active.
Tensions in the region have stayed high since the talks collapsed, with both sides watching developments closely.
This incident comes as observers track any further moves that could affect shipping routes through the Gulf of Oman.
