US Navy Super Hornet Disables Two Iranian Oil Tankers in Gulf of Oman

A US Navy fighter jet fired precision munitions into the smokestacks of two Iranian-flagged oil tankers in the Gulf of Oman on Friday, disabling both vessels, the American military said. US Central Command, which oversees American military operations in the Middle East, reported that the M/T Sea Star III and M/T Sevda were sailing toward an Iranian port in violation of a naval blockade imposed last month.

An F/A-18 Super Hornet launched from the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush conducted the strike on the unladen tankers, which the military described as non-compliant. It remains unclear what warnings, if any, the tankers received before the engagement or what specific munitions were used.

The Navy has employed force on multiple occasions to disable Iranian commercial vessels since the blockade began.

The incident occurred two days after another Super Hornet, launched from the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln, fired rounds from its 20 mm cannon into the rudder of the Iranian-flagged oil tanker M/T Hasna in the Gulf of Oman. That vessel had also been en route to an Iranian port.

All three vessels are no longer transiting to Iran, according to US Central Command. In late April, the Navy destroyer USS Spruance fired nine inert rounds from its 5-inch deck gun into the engine room of the Iranian-flagged vessel M/V Touska, which was attempting to run the blockade.

US Marines subsequently boarded the disabled ship.

The Trump administration announced the naval blockade of maritime traffic entering and exiting Iran's ports in mid-April to apply economic pressure, given Iran's reliance on oil exports. More than 20 US warships and 200 aircraft, including those operating from two aircraft carriers in the region, are participating in the effort, which has turned around dozens of commercial vessels.

US Central Command stated that forces in the Middle East remain committed to full enforcement of the blockade of vessels entering or leaving Iran. The naval blockade forms part of broader US military activities in the region that have continued since a ceasefire took effect in early April following the conclusion of Operation Epic Fury, a large-scale American bombing campaign against Iran.

The US has conducted missions to clear mines from the Strait of Hormuz and to escort commercial vessels through the waterway. On Thursday, US forces thwarted an Iranian attack involving missiles, drones and small boats targeting three Navy destroyers in the strait.

US Central Command subsequently targeted Iranian military facilities, including missile and drone launch sites, command and control centers, and surveillance infrastructure. The exchange threatens the fragile ceasefire.