US forces have neutralized an oil tanker that, according to US Central Command (CENTCOM), attempted to break the naval blockade imposed on Iran.
According to a CENTCOM statement, the tanker M/T Lavine was neutralized in the Gulf of Oman after attempting to breach the blockade at least four times.
CENTCOM spokesman Tim Hawkins told the Associated Press that the ship's crew had been repeatedly warned but did not obey orders from US forces.
"The crew was repeatedly warned, but did not obey the order. As a result, US forces neutralized the ship by striking its engine room," Hawkins said.
He declined to confirm Iranian media reports, which claim that two people lost their lives during the operation.
