American military forces have intercepted and disabled another commercial vessel attempting to violate the U.S. blockade of Iranian ports, according to a U.S. official familiar with the operation who spoke to The Associated Press on Saturday.
The bulk carrier Lian Star, flying under Gambia’s flag, disregarded repeated warnings from American forces during overnight hours while attempting to access an Iranian port, according to the official, who requested anonymity when discussing military operations. U.S. aircraft rendered the vessel inoperable in the Gulf of Oman, where it continues to drift, though American forces have not boarded the ship, the official stated.
This latest incident brings the total number of vessels stopped by U.S. military forces to six since the blockade’s implementation. One ship was permitted to continue its journey.
The American blockade commenced on April 17 following Iran’s effective closure of the strait after hostilities erupted with U.S. and Israeli attacks on Feb. 28. A tentative ceasefire has remained in place since April 7. The region and international community now wait for developments regarding a potential agreement to extend the ceasefire for 60 days while conducting fresh negotiations on Iran’s contested nuclear program.
Developments in the Strait of Hormuz between Iran and Oman have disrupted the global economy, with substantial quantities of oil, natural gas and related products like fertilizer effectively blocked from transport, intensifying pressure on consumers and agricultural producers.
The American blockade aims to restrict Iran’s shipping capabilities and further limit its revenue streams, adding pressure to its already struggling economy.
U.S. President Donald Trump conducted meetings with advisers on Friday but has not yet made a decision regarding proceeding with an agreement to extend the ceasefire and reopen the strait. Iran has indicated the deal remains incomplete.
Maritime commerce has continued moving through the strait at reduced levels compared to pre-conflict volumes, despite Iran’s claims that it must authorize all passages.
“Any violation of these regulations will place the security of their passage at serious risk,” Iran’s joint military command stated Saturday in a declaration broadcast on state television, cautioning that military vessels attempting to interfere would face targeting.
Iran has imposed transit fees reaching as high as $2 million, which maritime experts consider a breach of international maritime commerce principles regarding freedom of peaceful navigation.
Qatar’s deputy prime minister, Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman bin Hassan bin Ali Al Thani, said Saturday the Gulf nation objects to charging transit fees, “but for certain times when they say they are going to use it for mine clearing or some usage of the fees for a temporary time, this is something that is negotiable, and it could be something that will help the transit of the Strait of Hormuz to be back to normal stage.”
The U.S. official previously informed the AP that American forces have not located or eliminated any mines in the strait.
