US stops Gambia-flagged cargo vessel trying to breach Hormuz blockade

The US military has stopped another merchant vessel that was attempting to break through the American blockade of Iranian ports, a US official familiar with the matter said on Saturday.

According to the Associated Press, the Gambia-flagged bulk carrier "Lian Star" ignored repeated warnings from US forces overnight as it tried to enter an Iranian port, the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of military operations.

According to the official, US aircraft disabled the vessel in the Gulf of Oman. The ship remains adrift in the area, although US forces have not boarded it.

With this latest action, the US military has now stopped six ships from breaching the blockade. One vessel was allowed to continue its journey.

US BLOCKADE AGAINST IRAN

The blockade was launched by the United States on April 17 after Iran effectively shut down the Strait of Hormuz following the outbreak of war triggered by US and Israeli strikes on February 28.

The conflict has severely disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial waterway between Iran and Oman. Large volumes of oil, natural gas and other commodities, including fertiliser, have been stranded, adding pressure on global markets, consumers and food producers.

The US says the blockade is intended to restrict Iran's exports and further reduce its access to revenue, putting additional strain on the country's already weakened economy.

FRAGILE CEASEFIRE SINCE APRIL 7

A fragile ceasefire has been in place since April 7. Notably, the ceasefire has remained more or less in place despite talks to end the conflict between Iran and the US failing in Islamabad.

Attention is now focused on whether the truce will be extended by another 60 days to allow fresh negotiations on Iran's disputed nuclear programme.

US President Donald Trump met advisers on Friday but has not yet decided whether to support a deal that would extend the ceasefire and reopen the strait. Iran, meanwhile, has said that no final agreement has been reached.

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