US Military Disables Tanker Heading to Iran in Gulf of Oman; Indian Crew Safe

The US military said it disabled an empty oil tanker in the Gulf of Oman on Sunday after the vessel attempted to sail to an Iranian port, violating ongoing US sanctions against Iran. India's Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways reported that the tanker had 24 Indian crew members on board and that a fire had been reported, but all crew members were safe. US Central Command (CENTCOM) stated on social media platform X that the Palau-flagged oil tanker M/T Marivex was targeted by US forces in international waters in the Gulf of Oman while en route to Iran. According to CENTCOM, after the crew failed to comply with US instructions, an F/A-18 Super Hornet fighter jet from the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln fired precision munitions at the tanker's engine room and steering compartment, causing the M/T Marivex to cease its journey towards Iran. CENTCOM also stated that since the blockade began on April 13, it has disabled seven vessels that did not comply with instructions, diverted 134 vessels that complied, and allowed 42 vessels supporting humanitarian aid to pass. Opesh Kumar Sharma, an official from India's Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, said at a press conference: "We are coordinating with the Ministry of External Affairs, Indian embassies, the Indian Navy, and the Ministry of Defence to ensure their safety." He had earlier believed the tanker was registered in Madagascar. An Indian source told Reuters that the M/T Marivex had previously been sanctioned by the US Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) and had changed course three times after repeated warnings from the US Navy, but attempted to breach the blockade using Omani territorial waters on Sunday. The Indian Embassy in Oman stated it was in contact with Omani authorities regarding the rescue and safety of the crew. The source told Reuters that all crew members had been rescued with the assistance of Omani authorities.