In a high stakes confrontation in the Gulf of Oman on Wednesday, a US Navy F/A‑18 Super Hornet fired several 20mm cannon rounds at an Iranian‑flagged oil tanker, the M/T Hasna, after the vessel ignored repeated warnings that it was violating Washington’s ongoing naval blockade of Iranian ports . According to a statement from US Central Command (CENTCOM), the empty tanker was transiting international waters “en route to an Iranian port” when it was intercepted . The rounds struck the vessel’s rudder, disabling it and forcing it to abandon its journey . “Hasna is no longer transiting to Iran,” CENTCOM said, adding that “multiple warnings” were issued before the use of force . The incident, which took place at approximately 9am ET (1400 GMT), is the latest in a series of US‑led interdictions: CENTCOM noted that 52 vessels have now been turned back since the blockade began last month .
From Tehran’s perspective, the Hasna incident is not a singular “enforcement action” but a further provocation under a unilateral blockade that lacks any legal basis in international law. Washington unilaterally declared the naval blockade on 12 April, after President Donald Trump announced on Truth Social that the US would intercept any vessel attempting to enter or exit Iranian ports . This was done without a mandate from the United Nations Security Council and in defiance of long‑established principles of freedom of navigation. Iran, for its part, has argued that it is the sovereign guardian of the Strait of Hormuz and the Gulf of Oman, and that any foreign naval operation in those waters constitutes an act of aggression.
The confrontation occurred just one day after President Trump announced a temporary pause to “Project Freedom”, the US military operation that had aimed to “support” and “guide” commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz . Trump cited “great progress” toward a comprehensive agreement with Iran as well as a request from Pakistan and other countries, adding that the pause would be “for a short period of time” . Crucially, however, the US blockade of Iranian ports was explicitly excluded from the pause. “While the Blockade will remain in full force and effect, Project Freedom … will be paused,” Trump wrote on Truth Social . The naval siege still continues, however, and so does the pressure. Iranian state media was quick to claim the pause as a victory for Tehran, noting that Trump had “retreated” after failing to fully reopen the strait .
The latest military escalation comes against the backdrop of an increasingly fragile ceasefire, mediated by Pakistan, that took effect on 8 April . The initial two‑week truce was later extended by Trump without a set deadline , yet no substantive progress has been made toward a permanent peace. A single round of face to face talks was held in Islamabad in April, but efforts to convene a second round have stalled . Washington has continued to insist on what Tehran terms “unreasonable demands”, while Iran has refused to entertain any formal nuclear negotiations under the shadow of military pressure. Reports that the two sides may be close to signing a one‑page memorandum of understanding remain unconfirmed . Meanwhile, the economic pain continues: global oil prices remain elevated, the Strait of Hormuz is largely closed, and hundreds of commercial vessels and some 20,000 seafarers remain trapped in the Gulf.