US confirms military action on vessel that violated Iran port blockade

The United States fired on and disabled an unladen oil tanker in the Gulf of Oman on Monday after the vessel violated Washington's blockade of Iran's ports, the US military said.

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.


Earlier in the day, the Indian Embassy in Muscat said that all 24 Indian crew members aboard the MT Marivex were safely rescued by Omani authorities after a fire incident on a Madagascar-flagged vessel.

In a post on X, the embassy expressed gratitude to the Omani authorities for their prompt action in ensuring the safety of the Indian nationals.

"We are thankful to the Omani authorities for their swift response and rescue of all the 24 crew members of Indian nationality onboard MT Marivex, and ensuring their safety," the Embassy of India in Muscat said.

The rescue announcement came hours after the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW) confirmed a fire incident aboard MT Marivex in the south of the Strait of Hormuz.

Addressing an interministerial briefing on recent developments in West Asia, Director in the Shipping Division, Opesh Kumar Sharma, said the fire was reported at around 1:30 pm today.

He added that the Ministry is coordinating with the Ministry of External Affairs, Indian missions abroad, and the Indian Navy and Ministry of Defence to ensure the safety of the seafarers.

"We are in touch with the owners, and we are trying to ascertain the facts. We are also in touch with the Ministry of External Affairs and our mission in Oman," he added.

Answering a question on whether the ship was hit by a projectile, Sharma said, "So whether the ship was hit by a projectile or not, presently we are trying to get absolute information. As you are aware, the fire incident was at 1:30 today."

"The vessel was well out of the Strait of Hormuz and well clear to the south," he added.

According to the shipping ministry, the vessel, an oil tanker, was not carrying any cargo and was in ballast condition.