US Warplane Disables Iranian Oil Tanker in Blockade Enforcement

WASHINGTON - A US Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet fired on and disabled the rudder of an Iranian oil tanker that tried to break the US blockade of Iranian ports, the US military said Wednesday.

The incident marks the second time the US has used force to enforce the blockade, in place since April 13.

CENTCOM said the Iranian-flagged tanker M/T Hasna, which was unladen, ignored warnings to comply. A Super Hornet then fired several rounds from its 20mm cannon, striking the ship's rudder. CENTCOM confirmed the vessel is no longer heading toward Iran, adding the blockade remains in full effect.

Earlier, on April 19, another Iranian-flagged ship, the M/V Touska, tried to violate the blockade. After warnings, a US destroyer evacuated the crew and disabled the vessel with gunfire.

Tehran effectively closed the strategic Strait of Hormuz after the US-Israeli air campaign began on February 28. The US blockade was announced after peace talks in Pakistan failed last month.