US Disables Oil Tanker Bound for Iran in Latest Enforcement of Maritime Blockade

Washington, June 2026 : U.S. forces on Monday disabled an oil tanker in the Gulf of Oman after the vessel allegedly ignored instructions from American military authorities and continued its voyage toward an Iranian port, according to the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM).

The incident marks the latest enforcement action under the maritime blockade launched by the United States on April 13 and highlights the increasing military scrutiny of shipping activity linked to Iran in the region.

CENTCOM said the Palau-flagged tanker M/T Marivex was intercepted while sailing through international waters in the Gulf of Oman. The vessel, which was reportedly unladen at the time, was allegedly attempting to proceed to an Iranian destination despite directives issued by U.S. forces.

According to the military command, the tanker failed to comply with instructions aimed at enforcing the blockade. In response, an F/A-18 Super Hornet fighter aircraft operating from the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln carried out a precision strike targeting the vessel’s engineering and steering compartments.

The strike rendered the tanker incapable of continuing its journey.

“Marivex is no longer sailing to Iran,” CENTCOM said in a brief statement following the operation.

The U.S. military did not report any casualties among the crew and stated that the action was specifically designed to disable the vessel rather than sink it. No information was released regarding the nationality or identity of crew members aboard the tanker.

Officials also did not disclose the exact Iranian port that the vessel was allegedly attempting to reach. Details regarding the ship’s previous cargo operations, ownership structure, or communications between the crew and U.S. authorities prior to the strike were also not made public.

The operation forms part of a broader enforcement campaign that has been underway since mid-April. CENTCOM released updated figures on its maritime activities, stating that U.S. forces have disabled seven vessels considered non-compliant with blockade regulations since April 13.

The command said that 134 vessels have altered course or complied with U.S. instructions and were subsequently redirected. In addition, 42 ships carrying humanitarian assistance were allowed to continue their voyages without interference.

The latest action is expected to further intensify attention on maritime security and commercial shipping routes in the Gulf region, which remains a strategically important corridor for global energy supplies and international trade.

CENTCOM maintained that its actions are aimed at enforcing existing restrictions and ensuring compliance with directives issued by U.S. military authorities operating in the region.

(The content of this article is sourced from a news agency and has not been edited by the Mavericknews30 team.)