A US Navy fighter jet fired precision munitions at an oil tanker in the Gulf of Oman on June 8, disabling the vessel after its crew refused orders to cease operations. The M/T Marivex, an unladen tanker flying a Palau flag, is the seventh ship disabled since the US blockade of Iran began on April 13.
All 24 Indian nationals aboard the Marivex were airlifted to safety by Omani naval helicopters. The tanker itself was left stranded and incapacitated.
The blockade by the numbers
The F/A-18 Super Hornet that struck the Marivex launched from the USS Abraham Lincoln. CENTCOM says the crew was given orders to stand down before force was used.
Since April 13, US forces have redirected 134 vessels and allowed 42 humanitarian ships to pass through. Seven vessels have been disabled through kinetic action.
