U.S. Central Command reported that the military fired a Hellfire missile into the engine room of the Gambia-flagged vessel Lian Star, which was attempting to breach the U.S. blockade of Iran. This incident occurred while the ship was navigating international waters toward an Iranian port in the Gulf of Oman. Prior to the strike, U.S. forces issued over 20 warnings to the vessel regarding its violation of the blockade.
Following the missile strike, Centcom confirmed that the Lian Star was no longer heading to Iran, although further details were not provided. Since the blockade’s initiation on April 13, the U.S. military has redirected at least 115 ships to enforce the restrictions.
U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth indicated that military action against Iran could resume if diplomatic efforts to resolve the ongoing conflict fail. The tensions have significantly impacted global energy prices, especially as Iran has largely restricted access through the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz.
This situation underscores the escalating tensions in the region and the U.S. commitment to maintaining its blockade against Iranian maritime activities.
Share it now
