US military disables vessel that violated Iran port blockade

Summary

The F/A-18 Super Hornet "fired a precision munition into the ship's engineering and steering spaces after the crew failed to comply with directions from US forces," US Central Command said in a statement, adding that the Palau-flagged ship M/T Marivex "is no longer sailing to Iran." Also read: Shipping Ministry confirms attack on vessel carrying 24 Indian seafarers south of the Strait of Hormuz According to ANI source on a fire on a vessel, MT Marivex is a Palau-flagged vessel which is a black listed/OFAC-sanctioned vessel. The source clarified that the vessel is not Indian owned. "Over the last several days, the vessel made four attempts to evade the US blockade. On three occasions, the vessel turned away after repeated warnings by the US Navy," the source said. On June 8, the ship made another attempt to run past the blockade by using Omani territorial waters by switching off its signal devices to go undetected. , the source said. "This pattern makes it clear that its intention was not above board. The ship was in an unladen state when it was disabled. All 24 crew members who happen to be Indian nationals are safe. They have been rescued with the help of the Omani authorities," it added. CENTCOM forces have disabled seven non-compliant vessels, redirected 134 ships that complied, and allowed 42 vessels supporting humanitarian aid to pass since initiating the blockade on April 13, the military said. (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel) (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel)