U.S. Central Command said American forces struck the engine room of the Palau-flagged M/T Settebello after the tanker repeatedly refused directions while attempting to transport oil from Iran.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
U.S. forces disabled another oil tanker in the Gulf of Oman after the vessel repeatedly refused American directions while attempting to move oil from Iran, U.S. Central Command said Wednesday.
The Palau-flagged M/T Settebello was disabled at 11:14 p.m. June 9 after it violated the ongoing blockade and attempted to transport Iranian oil through the Gulf of Oman, according to a statement from CENTCOM.
CENTCOM said a U.S. aircraft fired precision munitions into the tanker’s engine room after the crew repeatedly failed to comply with orders from American forces.
The strike marked the second consecutive day U.S. forces disabled an oil tanker in the region and the eighth non-compliant vessel disabled since the blockade began.
“At 11:14 p.m. on June 9, U.S. forces disabled an oil tanker in the Gulf of Oman for the second consecutive day after another vessel violated the ongoing blockade by attempting to transport oil from Iran,” CENTCOM said.
“U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) disabled Palau-flagged M/T Settebello as it transited the Gulf of Oman. A U.S. aircraft fired precision munitions into the ship’s engine room after the crew repeatedly failed to comply with directions from American forces,” the command said.
CENTCOM said U.S. forces have now disabled eight non-compliant vessels, redirected 134 ships that followed American instructions and allowed 42 vessels carrying humanitarian aid to pass since the blockade was initiated April 13.
“CENTCOM forces have disabled eight non-compliant vessels, redirected 134 ships that complied, and allowed 42 vessels supporting humanitarian aid to pass since initiating the blockade on April 13,” the statement said.
The operation came as President Donald Trump said the United States had carried out a secret mission to support oil tankers and commercial ships moving through the Strait of Hormuz.
In a Truth Social post, Trump said he directed the U.S. military last month to help protect commercial shipping through the strategic waterway.
“Last month, I directed our Great U.S. Military to execute a secret mission to support Oil Tankers and other Commercial Ships through the Straight of Hormuz,” Trump said.
“Today, I am pleased to announce that this effort has resulted in more than 100 MILLION Barrels of Oil making its way through the Straight, and into the Open Market. More than 200 Commercial Ships have safely traveled through the Strait,” he said.
Trump said the operation demonstrated American control over the waterway and argued that Iran’s ability to threaten shipping had been defeated.
“This wildly successful effort is because the UNITED STATES of AMERICA CONTROLS the Strait of Hormuz — NOT Iran. Their military is defeated, and their economy is lost. It’s over for Iran! Thank you for your attention to this matter. President DONALD J. TRUMP,” the president said.
The Strait of Hormuz and the Gulf of Oman remain central to the conflict because of their role in global oil shipping. The blockade has led U.S. forces to intercept, redirect or disable vessels based on whether they comply with American orders.
CENTCOM’s latest announcement shows the blockade is continuing, with U.S. forces using precision strikes to stop ships accused of violating restrictions while allowing humanitarian vessels to pass.
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