Centcom says US forces disabled tanker heading to Iranian port

<article data-history-node-id="441594" about="https://www.middleeasteye.net/live-blog/live-blog-update/centcom-says-us-forces-disabled-tanker-heading-iranian-port" class="live-blog-update default clearfix"> <h2> <a href="https://www.middleeasteye.net/live-blog/live-blog-update/centcom-says-us-forces-disabled-tanker-heading-iranian-port" rel="bookmark"> <span class="field field-title">Centcom says US forces disabled tanker heading to Iranian port</span> </a> </h2> <div class="content"> <div class="field field-field-text"><p>US Central Command (Centcom) said US forces disabled an empty oil tanker in the Arabian Gulf that was reportedly heading to an Iranian port, adding that the vessel failed to comply with instructions issued by American forces.</p> <p>In a statement, Centcom said the tanker was flying the flag of Botswana and was struck by a Hellfire missile fired from a US aircraft, which targeted the vessel’s engine room.</p> <p>The command also said that since the start of the blockade on Iranian ports, US forces have disrupted six commercial vessels and redirected 122 others as part of maritime operations in the region.</p> </div> </div> </article>