U.S. Forces Disable Tanker After Four Attempts to Breach Iran Blockade

U.S. forces disabled the M/T Lavine in the Gulf of Oman after it attempted at least four times to breach the blockade of Iranian ports. U.S. Central Command spokesman Capt. Tim Hawkins said the crew was warned but did not comply, prompting the military to fire into the vessel’s engine room. The action left the tanker inoperable and marked the second commercial ship disabled since the blockade was reimposed. Central Command also said American forces had redirected 12 other vessels under the renewed enforcement operation.