The U.S. military says a commercial ship broke down in the Gulf of Oman after ignoring warnings as it tried to reach an Iranian port.
WASHINGTON — The U.S. military intercepted another commercial ship trying to breach a U.S. blockade of Iranian ports, a U.S. official briefed on the matter told The Associated Press on Saturday.
The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the Gambian-flagged bulk carrier Lian Star ignored repeated warnings from the U.S. military as it tried to enter an Iranian port. The ship was destroyed by U.S. aircraft in the Gulf of Oman and is still drifting there, the official said, adding that U.S. forces had not yet boarded the vessel.
Latest U.S. military actions Intercepted six ships trying to break the blockade. one is allowed to proceed.
The United States initiated a blockade on April 17 in response to Iran’s effective blockade of the Strait war The conflict began with a February 28 attack by the United States and Israel. A fragile ceasefire has been in place since April 7. Now, the region and the wider world await news on whether action will be taken. Reaching an agreement Extend the deadline by 60 days, while new negotiations on Iran will be held controversial nuclear program.
event in Strait of Hormuz The trade war between Iran and Oman has rocked the global economy, stranding large shipments of oil, natural gas, fertilizers and other related supplies, increasing pressure on consumers and food producers.
The U.S. blockade is aimed at limiting Iran’s own shipments and further eroding its ability to obtain cash, inflicting more pain on its chronically weak economy.
U.S. President Donald Trump met with advisers on Friday but has yet to decide whether to move forward with a deal to extend the ceasefire and reopen the strait. Iran says the deal is not yet finalized.
Despite Iran’s claims that any transit must be approved, commercial traffic quietly continues to flow through the strait, albeit at much lower volumes than before the conflict.
Iran’s Joint Military Command said in a statement on state television on Saturday that “any violation of these regulations will put the safety of its passage at serious risk” and warned that any warship trying to interfere with this regulation will be targeted.
Iran even Collect transit fees As much as $2 million, experts say it violates a principle of international maritime trade: freedom of peaceful navigation.
Qatar’s Deputy Prime Minister Sheikh Saud bin Abdulrahman bin Hassan bin Ali Al-Thani said on Saturday that the Gulf country was opposed to charging transit fees “but at some point it can be negotiated when they say they will be used for mine clearance or temporarily use them, which may help transit in the Strait of Hormuz return to a normal stage.”
The U.S. official previously told The Associated Press that the U.S. has not discovered or destroyed any mines in the strait.
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