US military strikes Gambia-flagged ship violating Iran blockade

The United States military says it disabled a cargo vessel sailing toward Iran after the ship allegedly ignored repeated warnings from American forces enforcing a blockade on Iranian ports.

.....

In a statement released on Saturday, May 30, United States Central Command said a U.S. aircraft fired a Hellfire missile into the engine room of the Gambia-flagged cargo ship M/V Lian Star on May 29 after its crew failed to respond to multiple warnings.

“A U.S. aircraft disabled the vessel by firing a Hellfire missile into the ship’s engine room after Lian Star’s crew failed to comply. The ship is no longer transiting to Iran,” CENTCOM said in a statement posted on X.

The U.S. military said the vessel ignored more than 20 warnings before the strike was carried out. CENTCOM did not disclose whether any crew members were injured during the operation.

According to the military command, the action forms part of ongoing efforts to enforce a blockade of Iranian ports amid continuing tensions in the region. “U.S. forces have disabled five commercial vessels and redirected 116 to fully enforce the blockade as a ceasefire with Iran remains in effect,” the statement added.

The United States has maintained restrictions on maritime traffic linked to Iran while Tehran continues to halt movement through the strategically important Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical routes for global oil and gas shipments.