American Forces Forcefully Stop an Oil Tanker That Defied Naval Sanctions Against Iran

A tanker was targeted by the U.S. Navy after it refused to comply with the maritime blockade imposed on Iran, the United States Central Command said.

According to the official statement, the M/T Lavine was struck in the Gulf of Oman region, after having made at least four attempts to breach the established barrier.

CENTCOM spokesperson Tim Hawkins told the Associated Press that personnel on board were repeatedly notified, but chose not to follow the directives of the American forces.

“Despite numerous warnings, the crew did not comply and as a result, our troops acted by disabling the vessel through a strike on the engine room,” Hawkins explained.

The official declined to confirm claims by Iranian state media, which reported that two people had lost their lives as a result of the incident.