US jet fires on Iranian tanker
Incident marks the second time US forces have fired on a commercial vessel to enforce the blockade
National Iranian Tanker Company-owned Hasna was transiting towards an Iranian port in the Gulf of Oman, US Central Command said
US FORCES have fired on an Iran-flagged very large crude carrier in the Gulf of Oman that they say breached the terms of the US blockade on Iranian ports.
The 2003-built, 299,229 dwt Hasna (IMO: 9212917) is owned by the National Iranian Tanker Company.
US Central Command said its forces observed the tanker as it transited international waters “enroute to an Iranian port on the Gulf of Oman”.
“American forces issued multiple warnings and informed the Iranian-flagged vessel it was in violation of the US blockade.”
Centcom said Hasna’s crew failed to comply with repeated warnings, and as a result an F-18 Super Hornet jet fired its cannon gun at the tanker and disabled its rudder.
This is the second time US forces have fired on a commercial vessel while attempting to enforce the blockade, after containership Touska (IMO: 9328900) was fired on after US forces said it failed to comply with warnings to stop.
“The US blockade against ships attempting to enter or depart Iranian ports remains in full effect,” Centcom said, adding that its forces “continue to act deliberately and professionally to ensure compliance”.
