A US Air Force F-35 Lightning II stealth fighter deployed in the Middle East is refueled by a KC-135 on May 3, 2026. (Credit: Centcom's X account.)
BEIRUT — In a message posted on X early Wednesday evening, U.S. Central Command said it "disabled" an Iranian tanker Wednesday afternoon. "U.S. forces operating in the Gulf of Oman enforced blockade measures by disabling an Iranian-flagged unladen oil tanker attempting to sail toward an Iranian port at 9 a.m. ET, May 6," CENTCOM wrote.
According to the message, "U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) forces observed M/T Hasna 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 U.S. blockade."
"After Hasna’s crew failed to comply with repeated warnings, U.S. forces disabled the tanker’s rudder by firing several rounds from the 20mm cannon gun of a U.S. Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet launched from USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72). Hasna is no longer transiting to Iran."
"The U.S. blockade against ships attempting to enter or depart Iranian ports remains in full effect. CENTCOM forces continue to act deliberately and professionally to ensure compliance," Centcom concluded.
