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U.S. Jet Disables Iranian Tanker During Blockade Enforcement

The strike signals Washington's intent to enforce its port blockade despite a pause in convoy escorts.

Overview

  • An F/A-18 Super Hornet launched from USS Abraham Lincoln fired 20mm rounds Wednesday at 9 a.m. ET, disabling the rudder of the Iranian‑flagged tanker Hasna in international waters.
  • CENTCOM said the unladen ship ignored repeated warnings while en route to an Iranian port in the Gulf of Oman and is no longer transiting to Iran.
  • The U.S. blockade on ships entering or leaving Iranian ports remains in effect after President Trump paused the separate Project Freedom convoy effort the day before.
  • TankerTrackers.com reported two empty sanctioned vessels entered the blockade perimeter on Wednesday and said a separate supertanker carrying about 1.9 million barrels had earlier evaded the Navy.
  • Outlets noted this is the first confirmed instance of U.S. aircraft firing on a ship to enforce the blockade, a step that heightens risk for merchant crews operating near the Strait of Hormuz.