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Unladen Oil Tanker Disabled by US Forces for Iran Blockade Violation

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An unladen oil tanker heading towards Iran was disabled in the Gulf of Oman on Monday by US forces over non-compliance with the US naval blockade against Iran, according to a statement from the US Central Command.

The Palau-flagged M/T Marivex vessel was disabled by the US Centcom forces as the vessel attempted to sail towards the country, maritime access to which the US is impeding while Iran keeps the Strait of Hormuz effectively closed.

"An F/A-18 Super Hornet from USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) fired a precision munition into the ship's engineering and steering spaces after the crew failed to comply with directions from US forces," the statement said.

The vessel is no longer heading towards Iran.

Since the launch of the blockade on April 13, Centcom has disabled seven non-compliant vessels, redirected 134 compliant ships, and allowed passage to 42 vessels supporting humanitarian aid, the statement said.

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