A U.S. military official confirmed to the Associated Press that a tanker attempting to bypass the American blockade of Iran was disabled after ignoring 60 verbal warnings and other demonstrations of force, according to a statement from the Department of Defense. The official described the sequence of actions taken by U.S. forces before engaging the vessel, which remains under investigation.
The incident occurred in international waters, though the specific location was not disclosed. The U.S. military stated the tanker had been monitored for hours prior to the confrontation, with multiple attempts made to communicate with the vessel via radio and visual signals. The official cited “escalating violations of maritime law” as justification for the use of force, though no details were provided about the tanker’s origin or destination.
U.S. Navy officials emphasized that the operation adhered to rules of engagement outlined in the 2023 Maritime Security Policy, which mandates non-lethal warnings before any kinetic action. The 60 verbal warnings cited by the official included repeated broadcasts over international maritime frequencies, as well as the deployment of unmanned aerial vehicles to signal the vessel to halt. A second U.S. military source, speaking on condition of anonymity, described the tanker as “persistent in its defiance” despite these measures.
The Department of Defense has not released imagery or technical data from the incident, citing ongoing legal and diplomatic reviews. A statement from the U.S. Central Command noted that the tanker was “no longer operational” following the engagement but did not specify whether it was sunk, damaged, or captured. No casualties were reported, though the status of the crew remains unconfirmed.
Iranian officials have yet to comment publicly on the incident, but state media outlets have criticized the U.S. action as “provocative and illegal.” The Islamic Republic has previously accused the U.S. of enforcing an “economic siege” through its naval presence in the Persian Gulf, a claim the U.S. has consistently denied. The incident comes amid heightened tensions in the region, including recent clashes between U.S. and Iranian-backed forces in the Red Sea.
The U.S. military has not announced plans for further actions against the tanker, but the Department of Defense reiterated its commitment to “upholding international maritime norms” in a separate statement. The incident is under review by the Office of the Secretary of Defense, with no timeline provided for a formal report. Meanwhile, the U.S. Navy has increased patrols in the area, according to a separate military update.
