U.S. Blocks Iran by Disabling Gambian Vessel in Gulf of Oman

U.S. Forces Disable Gambian Vessel in Gulf of Oman

Tensions in the Gulf of Oman escalated on May 29 when U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) intercepted a merchant ship attempting to reach an Iranian port. The vessel, identified as the Gambian-flagged M/V Lianstar, was targeted after failing to comply with repeated maritime warnings.

“Yesterday (the 29th), we detected the Gambian-flagged ‘M/V Lianstar’ moving toward an Iranian port in international waters in the Gulf of Oman.”CENTCOM, via News1

The military response was swift and targeted. After the vessel ignored repeated commands to change course, U.S. aircraft engaged the ship to prevent it from reaching its destination.

“We sent more than 20 warnings notifying them that they were violating U.S. blockade measures.”CENTCOM, via News1

“The crew failed to respond to the warnings, so a U.S. aircraft fired Hellfire missiles into the ship’s engine room to disable it.”CENTCOM, via News1

This strike is part of a broader enforcement campaign. To ensure the blockade remains effective, the U.S. military has disabled five merchant ships and redirected 116 others to different routes.

The Gambian Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a formal protest, labeling the strike on the M/V Lianstar as “maritime piracy” and a violation of the principle of freedom of navigation. “The disabling of a neutral vessel in international waters is an affront to international law and the sovereignty of the Gambian flag,” a spokesperson for the Gambian government stated. The Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs characterized the U.S. action as “state-sponsored maritime terrorism” intended to disrupt regional commerce and undermine the sovereignty of littoral states.

Missile Debris Damages U.S. Assets in Kuwait

While maritime enforcement continues, the conflict has spilled onto land in Kuwait. An Iranian ballistic missile strike on the Ali Al Salem Air Base has resulted in injuries to U.S. personnel and significant equipment losses, according to reporting from v.daum.net.

The attack utilized the Fateh-110, a solid-fuel, surface-to-surface ballistic missile that Iran has been producing since 2002. While Kuwaiti air defenses successfully intercepted the missile, the resulting debris struck the base, causing casualties and hardware destruction.

The destruction of a single MQ-9 Reaper, valued at approximately $30 million per unit, underscores the high material cost of this ongoing shadow war. Although Iranian state media, including IRIB, has claimed that Iranian forces intercepted a U.S. drone over Bushehr province, local Iranian authorities have not officially confirmed the specific strike on the Kuwaiti base.

The Kuwaiti Ministry of Defense released a statement confirming that the Ali Al Salem Air Base is currently undergoing damage assessment. “Our air defense systems performed as intended, neutralizing the primary threat, though secondary debris caused localized damage to military infrastructure,” the ministry stated. The U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) characterized the missile launch as a “direct violation of the ceasefire terms.” Pentagon officials reported that the Fateh-110 trajectory originated from a mobile launcher located in southern Iran, according to radar data provided to regional partners. U.S. Fifth Fleet officials have previously issued similar warnings regarding Iranian missile movements in the region, citing increased activity from Iranian-aligned groups in the maritime corridor.

The Enforcement of the Maritime Blockade

The current volatility highlights the instability of the truce brokered by Pakistan on April 8. Although a ceasefire is technically in place, the maritime blockade remains a primary flashpoint. Iran has maintained its own blockade of the strait since the start of hostilities on February 28, 2025, and has refused to lift it despite recent diplomatic efforts.

The stakes for this corridor are immense. The Hormuz Strait serves as a vital artery for global energy, with approximately 20% of the world’s oil and gas supply passing through its waters.

U.S. officials have signaled that they have no intention of loosening their grip on these waters. Speaking at the U.S. Embassy in Singapore, Secretary Hegseth made the administration’s stance clear, as reported by Newsis.

“The maritime blockade against Iran is being very clearly maintained.”Hegseth, via Newsis

“Iran claims they control the strait, but we are the ones in control.”Hegseth, via Newsis

This assertion of dominance comes at a moment of high-level diplomatic uncertainty. President Donald Trump recently convened a meeting in the White House Situation Room to discuss the draft of a potential peace agreement with Iran. However, that meeting concluded without a definitive resolution, leaving the region caught between the possibility of a diplomatic breakthrough and the reality of continuing missile and drone exchanges.

The Pakistani Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement expressing “grave concern” regarding the escalation, noting that the kinetic strikes in both the Gulf of Oman and Kuwait threaten the stability of the April 8 ceasefire. “The mediation efforts led by Islamabad are being undermined by continued military maneuvers on both sides,” the Ministry stated. Inside the White House, sources familiar with the Situation Room meeting reported that the primary deadlock involved the U.S. demand for total maritime enforcement versus Iran’s demand for the immediate cessation of the blockade as a prerequisite for any signed agreement. The meeting also reportedly included consultations with the U.S. Secretary of State regarding the potential for expanded sanctions if the blockade is not respected by Iranian-aligned shipping interests.