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The United States military says it has taken action against a merchant vessel that attempted to enter an Iranian port despite restrictions imposed under Washington's maritime blockade.
According to US Central Command, the Gambia-registered cargo ship Lian Star continued towards Iran after receiving more than 20 warnings from American forces overnight. The military said a missile was fired into the vessel's engine room, leaving it unable to continue its journey. Reports indicate the ship remains stranded in the Gulf of Oman and has not been boarded by US personnel.
US officials said this is the sixth vessel intercepted while trying to enter blockaded Iranian ports since the restrictions were introduced. Only one ship has been permitted to continue, while another 116 vessels have been redirected elsewhere.
The blockade was imposed on 17 April after Iran effectively shut access through the Strait of Hormuz following the outbreak of war between Iran, the United States and Israel on 28 February. Washington says the measures are intended to restrict Iranian exports and reduce revenue flowing into Tehran.
The incident comes days after fighting resumed despite a ceasefire that has largely been in place since 7 April. International attention remains focused on negotiations aimed at ending the conflict.
US President Donald Trump met advisers on Friday but has not yet approved a proposed agreement that would extend the ceasefire by 60 days and reopen the Strait of Hormuz. American officials say the framework would also require Iran to significantly reduce its uranium stockpiles and limit aspects of its nuclear programme. Iranian authorities maintain that no final agreement has been reached.
Although Iran has insisted that ships require its approval to pass through the strait, commercial traffic has continued at reduced levels. Tehran has warned that vessels interfering with its regulations could face military action.
Iran has also imposed transit charges that have reportedly reached $2 million per voyage. Maritime experts have criticised the fees, arguing that they conflict with established principles of free navigation.
Speaking on Saturday, Qatar's deputy prime minister, Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman bin Hassan bin Ali Al Thani, said Doha does not support permanent transit charges but suggested temporary fees connected to activities such as mine-clearing could be open to discussion if they help restore normal shipping operations.
The Strait of Hormuz, located between Iran and Oman, handles roughly one-fifth of global maritime trade. Disruptions there have affected energy markets and international supply chains, leaving substantial volumes of oil, natural gas and fertiliser shipments delayed and adding pressure on consumers and agricultural producers worldwide.
