A U.S. aircraft fired precision munitions into the engine room of the Palau-flagged M/T Settebello after its crew ignored repeated warnings in the Gulf of Oman on June 9, according to U.S. Central Command. The same vessel was disabled two days earlier. CENTCOM reports eight total vessels disabled since the blockade began April 13.
U.S. Central Command disabled the Palau-flagged oil tanker M/T Settebello in the Gulf of Oman on June 9, the second time in three days the same vessel was targeted. A U.S. aircraft fired precision munitions into the engine room after the crew repeatedly failed to comply with directions from American forces, CENTCOM said in a statement. As The Zioneer reported on June 10, the same tanker was disabled earlier this week. The latest operation marks the second consecutive day of interdictions against the vessel. CENTCOM stated it has disabled eight non-compliant vessels, redirected 134 ships that complied, and allowed 42 vessels supporting humanitarian aid to pass since initiating the blockade on April 13. The blockade, enforced by U.S. naval forces, aims to prevent Iranian oil exports in response to Tehran's nuclear program and regional aggression. The M/T Settebello was attempting to transport oil from Iran in violation of the blockade, according to CENTCOM. Three Indian crew members remain missing from the previous strike on the vessel, as India condemned the action.
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