• US forces disabled the oil tanker Jalveer in the Gulf of Oman after it allegedly violated the blockade on Iranian oil shipments.
  • This marks the third commercial vessel disabled this week, with CENTCOM reporting a total of nine vessels disabled and 135 redirected since April 13.
  • The sustained maritime enforcement campaign underscores a sharp escalation in US efforts to curb Iranian oil exports, with potential ripple effects on global energy markets.

Precision Strikes on Iran-Linked Vessels

The US military carried out a precision strike on the engine room of the oil tanker Jalveer on Thursday after the crew ignored repeated orders to halt, according to US Central Command. Two Hellfire missiles disabled the vessel, which was suspected of transporting Iranian oil in violation of the blockade.

The operation follows a similar pattern: US forces have targeted the engineering or steering spaces of noncompliant ships, leaving them dead in the water. "The crew was warned multiple times but refused to comply," a defense official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

Escalating Maritime Enforcement

The Jalveer incident caps a week of aggressive interdiction. On Tuesday, US forces disabled another tanker near the Strait of Hormuz, and on Wednesday, a third vessel was redirected after being struck by warning shots. CENTCOM has not publicly identified the vessels' flags or owners, but shipping data reviewed by analysts shows several Iranian-linked tankers altering course in recent days.

"We are seeing a deliberate, systematic campaign to halt Iranian oil flows," said a maritime security analyst. "The frequency and precision of these strikes suggest a long-term commitment."

Market and Diplomatic Fallout

The blockade has already impacted oil markets. Benchmark Brent crude rose 1.2% on Thursday, partly on supply disruption fears. Shipping insurers are raising premiums for Gulf transits, and some tanker operators are rerouting away from the region. A US Treasury official said the enforcement aims to pressure Iran on its nuclear program, but critics warn of unintended consequences.

Contacted for comment, the Iranian mission to the UN did not immediately respond. A spokesperson for the US military said operations will continue "as long as necessary."

Correction: An earlier version of this article misstated the number of vessels disabled this week. The correct figure is three.