The United States military has announced that it disabled a Gambia-flagged cargo vessel that was reportedly heading to an Iranian port after the ship failed to respond to repeated warnings.
According to the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), the incident occurred on May 29 when the cargo vessel, identified as M/V Lian Star, ignored more than 20 warnings issued by U.S. forces.
CENTCOM stated that a U.S. aircraft fired a Hellfire missile into the vessel’s engine room, successfully disabling the ship and preventing it from continuing its journey to Iran.
“The vessel was disabled after its crew failed to comply with repeated warnings. The ship is no longer transiting to Iran,” the military command said in a statement.
The U.S. military did not provide details on whether any crew members were injured during the operation.
CENTCOM further disclosed that U.S. forces have disabled five commercial vessels and redirected 116 others as part of efforts to enforce a maritime blockade while a ceasefire with Iran remains in place.
The blockade is part of broader measures being implemented amid ongoing tensions in the region. Iran has effectively halted traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical routes for oil and gas shipments, disrupting maritime trade and raising concerns over global energy supplies.
Efforts to negotiate a long-term resolution to the conflict and restore normal operations in the strategic waterway are continuing, although no final agreement has yet been reached.
US Military Disables Cargo Vessel Bound for Iran Amid Ongoing Maritime Blockade
