U.S. Tightens Iran Naval Blockade, Boards One Tanker and Disables Another

The U.S. military continued enforcing its naval blockade against Iran, disabling a second merchant vessel and conducting another verification boarding within two days. On 24 July, U.S. forces disabled the Mozambique-flagged tanker Lavine in the Gulf of Oman after it allegedly attempted to breach the blockade despite repeated warnings. According to U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), the vessel's engine room was fired upon after the crew failed to comply, rendering the tanker inoperable. On 25 July, CENTCOM reported conducting a verification boarding of the Comoros-flagged tanker Charminar in the Arabian Sea before allowing it to continue its voyage. CENTCOM said that since reinstating the naval blockade against Iran on 14 July, U.S. forces have redirected 12 commercial vessels, disabled two, and boarded two others to verify compliance.