U.S. forces operating in the Gulf of Oman attacked and disabled an empty oil tanker flying the Iranian flag.
The tanker was attempting to head to an Iranian port on May 6, according to U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM).
Americans spotted the tanker M/T Hasna while it was passing through international waters towards the Iranian port in the Gulf of Oman. U.S. forces repeatedly warned the Iranian-flagged vessel and notified it of violating the American blockade, CENTCOM claims.
After the crew of the Hasna tanker did not comply with repeated demands, U.S. forces disabled the tanker’s steering by firing several shots from the 20mm cannon of an F/A-18 Super Hornet jet launched from the USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) aircraft carrier.
The Hasna tanker is no longer heading to Iran, the Americans assert.
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) May 6, 2026<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
The American blockade against vessels attempting to enter or leave Iranian ports remains in effect. CENTCOM forces continue to act deliberately and professionally to ensure compliance with the blockade, U.S. military officials report.
