US Military Attacks Tanker En Route to Iran After Multiple Blockade Evasion Attempts

The US military has attacked another tanker heading to an Iranian port, disabling the vessel by gunfire to its engine room, according to a spokesman for US Central Command (Centcom). The ship's crew had attempted to evade the US blockade of Iranian ports at least four times before being stopped. The US reimposed the blockade in mid-July to deny Tehran revenue from oil exports, prohibiting ships from approaching or departing Iranian ports. This is the second ship disabled by force since the blockade began, with several others forced to change course. The US had previously enforced a similar naval blockade during the Iran War from mid-April to mid-June, which was lifted as part of a framework agreement. However, the war, initiated by the US and Israel on February 28, has recently escalated again.