A United States F/A-18 Super Hornet fighter jet opened fire this Monday in international waters against the oil tanker 'M/T Marivex', a vessel flying the flag of Palau which it left without maneuverability and adrift.
The Central Command of the United States Armed Forces (CENTCOM) has confirmed the operation and indicated that the ship was in the Gulf of Oman and was heading to an Iranian port "in violation of the blockade against Iran".
According to the United States Army, the fighter took off from the aircraft carrier 'USS Abraham Lincoln' and used "precision munitions" against the engine room and the observation structure "after the crew failed to comply with the guidelines of the United States forces".
"The 'Marivex' is no longer sailing towards Iran," stressed CENTCOM, recalling that to date it has taken seven ships attempting to breach the US blockade out of service and has forced 134 other vessels to change course. However, it has authorized the transit of 42 ships with humanitarian aid cargo since the blockade was established on April 13.