The Gulf of Oman is a maritime zone connecting the Arabian Sea to the Persian Gulf via the Strait of Hormuz. Known as a critical corridor for global oil exports and a recurring flashpoint for U.S.-Iran naval tensions. Recently, it has been the primary theater for a U.S. naval blockade of Iranian ports, involving vessel intercepts, airstrikes on tankers, and exchanges with Iranian naval forces. Last updated 1 day ago
Sentinel-2 satellite images taken today show a massive oil leak at the exit of the Gulf of Oman, reportedly caused by a vessel damaged by Iranian projectiles.
Earlier today, CENTCOM forces disabled the steering gear of Panama-flagged M/V Vela Nova as the cargo vessel attempted to transit the Gulf of Oman and violate the U.S. blockade against Iran by sailing toward an Iranian port.
A U...
CENTCOM:
Earlier today, CENTCOM forces disabled the steering gear of Panama-flagged M/V Vela Nova as the cargo vessel attempted to transit the Gulf of Oman and violate the U.S. blockade against Iran by sailing toward an Iranian port.
A U.S. Navy MH-60 helicopter fired two hellfire missiles into the Vela Nova’s engine room after the ship’s civilian crew ignored repeated warnings from American forces. The ship is no longer transiting to Iran in violation of the U.S. blockade, which remains in full effect.
As of Aug. 11, CENTCOM has redirected 55 commercial vessels attempting to run the blockade, disabled 3 non-compliant vessels, and boarded 2.
U.S. forces operating in the Middle East are highly vigilant, lethal, and ready.
NEW: U.S. forces fired on a Panama-flagged ship in the Gulf of Oman Tuesday after it tried to breach the American blockade of Iranian ports.
A U.S. helicopter hit the vessel's rudder, sparking a fire that was later put out. Maritime security firm Vanguard identified the ship as the Vela Nova.
All 17 crew members are accounted for. No casualties reported.
"U.S. Marines from the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit conduct a verification boarding aboard M/T Wen Yao in the Gulf of Oman, July 16.
As of today, American forces have redirected 3 commercial vessels trying to run ...
U.S. Central Command:
"U.S. Marines from the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit conduct a verification boarding aboard M/T Wen Yao in the Gulf of Oman, July 16.
As of today, American forces have redirected 3 commercial vessels trying to run the blockade, disabled 1 that didn’t comply, and boarded 1 to ensure full compliance with the ongoing U.S. naval blockade against Iran.
The Strait of Hormuz and the surrounding waters remain free and open, except for vessels attempting to violate America’s steel wall blockade."
Last night, multiple oil tankers were reportedly struck in the Gulf.
UAE owned tankers MOMBASA B and BAHIA were hit by Iranian cruise missiles. Initial reports say 1 Indian crew member was killed and 8 others were seriously wounded.
UKMTO also reported a separate tanker strike in the Gulf of Oman.
CENTCOM: At President Trump’s direction, U.S. forces will resume blockading maritime traffic to and from Iranian ports on July 14 at 2000Z (4 p.m. ET).
The blockade applies to vessels entering or leaving Iranian ports. Commercial shipping not violating the blockade may continue transiting regional waters. Mariners are advised to monitor official navigation notices and contact U.S. naval forces in the Gulf of Oman and Strait of Hormuz.
Pakistani authorities have launched a search and rescue operation over the Gulf of Oman after a K2 Airways 737 cargo plane went silent. The jet reported navigation trouble just past 15:00 UTC before all contact ended.
WATCH: Iranian shadow fleet tanker M/T Jalveer was disabled in the Gulf of Oman after a U.S. aircraft fired 2 Hellfire missiles into its engine room when the crew repeatedly ignored U.S. warnings.
CENTCOM STATEMENT: At 11:20 p.m. ET on June 10, U.S. forces disabled the Guinea/Bissau flagged oil tanker M/T Jalveer in the Gulf of Oman after it attempted to transport Iranian oil through the blockade.
The crew repeatedly failed to comp...
CENTCOM STATEMENT: At 11:20 p.m. ET on June 10, U.S. forces disabled the Guinea/Bissau flagged oil tanker M/T Jalveer in the Gulf of Oman after it attempted to transport Iranian oil through the blockade.
The crew repeatedly failed to comply with directions from U.S. forces, after which a U.S. aircraft fired two Hellfire missiles into the vessel's engine room.
The M/T Jalveer is the third commercial ship disabled by American forces this week as part of enforcement operations against Iranian oil shipments.
{Side note: Indian nationals were aboard the vessel, prompting India's foreign ministry to publicly address the incident}
India confirms three of its sailors were killed in yesterday's U.S. strike on a tanker in the Gulf of Oman. The vessel had been accused of violating the blockade on Iran.
A U.S. aircraft struck the engine room of the Palau-flagged tanker M/T Settebello in the Gulf of Oman late Monday after its crew repeatedly refused to comply with American orders. It is the second tanker CENTCOM has disabled in two days for attempting to transport Iranian oil in violation of the blockade.
U.S. Central Command says an F/A-18 Super Hornet struck and disabled the Palau flagged tanker Marivex in the Gulf of Oman after it attempted to proceed toward an Iranian port.
Iran claims its navy fired warning shots using Qader anti-ship missiles and a new “Martyr Dena” kamikaze drone, forcing the USS Truxtun and USS Mason to leave the Gulf of Oman.
Iranian state media released footage claiming the Iranian Navy targeted the “command center” of a U.S. destroyer in the Gulf of Oman in response to alleged hostile actions against Iranian vessels.
CENTCOM says U.S. forces disabled a Gambia flagged vessel, M/V Lian Star, in the Gulf of Oman after it ignored more than 20 warnings and continued toward an Iranian port in violation of the blockade. A Hellfire missile struck the ship’s engine room, stopping its transit. CENTCOM says 5 commercial vessels have now been disabled and 116 redirected under the blockade.
U.S. Navy F/A-18s disabled three Iranian-flagged tankers attempting to breach the blockade on the Gulf of Oman.
M/T Sea Star III and M/T Sevda were hit with precision munitions to their smokestacks on May 8. M/T Hasna had its rudder taken ...
U.S. Navy F/A-18s disabled three Iranian-flagged tankers attempting to breach the blockade on the Gulf of Oman.
M/T Sea Star III and M/T Sevda were hit with precision munitions to their smokestacks on May 8. M/T Hasna had its rudder taken out by 20mm cannon fire on May 6. None are still transiting to Iran.
Over 50 commercial vessels have been redirected by CENTCOM forces. Multiple others disabled.
CENTCOM commander Adm. Brad Cooper: "U.S. forces in the Middle East remain committed to full enforcement of the blockade of vessels entering or leaving Iran." - CENTCOM
A U.S. Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet fired 20mm cannon rounds to disable the rudder of an Iranian-flagged oil tanker that refused to comply with blockade warnings in the Gulf of Oman, according to CENTCOM. The vessel, M/T Hasna, was heading toward an Iranian port and is no longer in transit. The U.S. blockade remains in full effect.
The IRGC Navy, holding more than 22,500 mariners hostage aboard over 1,550 commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz, released a statement thanking "captains and shipowners in the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman for complying with Iran's Strait of Hormuz regulations." The statement claimed the "aggressor's threats" have been "neutralized" and that "new protocols" will ensure "safe, stable passage."
