Chess not checkers, U.S. forces disable third oil tanker this week in Iran blockade

U.S. forces disabled an oil tanker in the Gulf of Oman late Wednesday after the vessel violated the blockade against Iran by attempting to transport Iranian oil.

U.S. Central Command acted against the Guinea-Bissau flagged M/T Jalveer at 11:20 p.m. ET on June 10 as it attempted to transport oil from Iran through the Gulf of Oman. A U.S. aircraft fired two Hellfire missiles into the ship’s engine room after the crew repeatedly failed to comply with directions from U.S. forces.

The action marked the third commercial ship disabled by American forces this week. Earlier, U.S. aircraft disabled Palau-flagged vessels M/T Marivex and M/T Settebello on Monday and Tuesday. Marivex violated the blockade by attempting to sail to an Iranian port and Settebello attempted to transport Iranian oil.

CENTCOM forces have disabled nine non-compliant vessels, redirected 135 ships that complied, and allowed 42 vessels supporting humanitarian aid to pass since initiating the blockade on April 13.

The blockade is being enforced against vessels of all nations entering or departing Iranian ports and coastal areas, including all Iranian ports on the Arabian Gulf and Gulf of Oman.