US Military Disables Iranian Blockade-Running Vessel

A US military helicopter fired missiles at a Panama-flagged cargo vessel in the Gulf of Oman, disabling its engine room to prevent the ship from breaking Iran's maritime blockade, according to US Central Command. The direct action targeted the vessel's propulsion system as it attempted to circumvent sanctions restrictions on Iranian commerce. The incident marks an escalation in US efforts to enforce economic pressure on Iran through military interdiction of blockade-running operations.