U.S. CENTCOM Claims to Have Diverted 134 Commercial Vessels

According to the International Desk of Webangah News Agency, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) has claimed to have altered the course of 134 commercial vessels under an operation it terms a “maritime interdiction” initiative, citing data released by Al Jazeera. CENTCOM further alleged that it disabled an empty oil tanker, the M/T Marivex flying the Palau flag, in the Gulf of Oman after the vessel allegedly violated sanctions imposed on Iran. The U.S. military command stated that an F-18 fighter jet fired munitions that damaged the tanker’s engine after its crew reportedly did not comply with instructions. CENTCOM’s statement also claimed that seven vessels violating directives were disabled, 134 vessels were rerouted, and 42 ships carrying humanitarian aid were permitted to pass.