U.S. Navy F/A-18 Fires on Iranian Tanker Attempting to Breach Blockade

The United States disabled the empty Iranian oil tanker M/T Hasna in the Gulf of Oman after it attempted to breach the naval blockade and head toward an Iranian port.

According to U.S. Central Command, the incident took place on May 6 at around 4:00 p.m. Kyiv time. U.S. forces repeatedly contacted the tanker and warned the crew that its course violated the blockade of Iran’s coastline.

When the crew ignored the warnings, an F/A-18 Super Hornet launched from the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln was sent to intercept the vessel. The fighter jet fired several 20mm cannon rounds at the tanker’s rudder, the underwater steering mechanism at the rear of the ship, leaving the vessel unable to maneuver.

The tanker has since stopped moving toward Iran. U.S. officials stated that the blockade remains fully in effect for all ships attempting to enter or leave Iranian ports.

In April, a U.S. Navy destroyer used its gun to stop an Iranian vessel in the Arabian Sea.

To disable the ship, the destroyer fired several rounds from its Mk 45 naval gun at the engine room, knocking out the vessel’s engine.