ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - The US military said on Saturday it intercepted another vessel attempting to reach an Iranian port despite US President Donald Trump announcing the end of Washington's naval blockade on Iran.
US Central Command (CENTCOM), which oversees American military operations in the Middle East, announced late Saturday that its "forces operating in the Gulf of Oman enforced blockade measures by disabling a Gambia-flagged maritime vessel attempting to sail toward an Iranian port."
CENTCOM said US forces had "issued more than 20 warnings while informing the vessel it was in violation of the U.S. blockade."
The announcement came a day after Trump told ships stranded near the strategic Strait of Hormuz to begin heading home, saying the US naval embargo on Iran "will now be lifted."
The US and Israel launched a large-scale aerial campaign against Iran in late February, striking thousands of targets across the country during six weeks of hostilities. The conflict ended with a Pakistan-mediated ceasefire on April 8, halting the fighting and paving the way for negotiations.
Despite ongoing diplomatic efforts, Tehran and Washington have continued to exchange maritime pressure measures. Iran has tightened its control over shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, while the US imposed a maritime blockade on Iranian ports on April 13.
"A US aircraft disabled the vessel by firing a Hellfire missile into the ship’s engine room after Lian Star’s crew failed to comply. The ship is no longer transiting to Iran," CENTCOM added, noting that US forces have disabled five commercial vessels and redirected 116 others as part of efforts to enforce the blockade while the ceasefire remains in place.
Earlier on Saturday, Iran's Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters issued a statement saying, "The management of the Strait of Hormuz is exercised with full authority by the Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran," warning that any violation of the regulations would "seriously jeopardize the security of their transit."
Meanwhile, former Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) commander Mohsen Rezaei wrote on X that "As predicted, the President of the United States is betraying diplomacy for the third time."
He added that Trump's continuation of the naval blockade and what he described as "excessive demands" during negotiations had once again "proven that he is not inclined toward negotiation" and is pursuing other objectives.