On Wednesday, May 6, 2026, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) reported that, in the Gulf of Oman, a carrier-based F/A-18 Super Hornet from the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) fired on the Iranian tanker M/T Hasna (IMO 9212917, MMSI 422221000), which had attempted to breach the U.S. naval blockade. The vessel was subsequently seized.
M/T Hasna / Photo: Internet
U.S. forces operating in the Gulf of Oman enforced blockade measures by disabling an Iranian-flagged unladen oil tanker attempting to sail toward an Iranian port at 9 a.m. ET, May 6.
U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) forces observed M/T Hasna as it transited international waters enroute to an Iranian port on the Gulf of Oman. American forces issued multiple warnings and informed the Iranian-flagged vessel it was in violation of the U.S. blockade.
After Hasna’s crew failed to comply with repeated warnings, U.S. forces disabled the tanker’s rudder by firing several rounds from the 20mm cannon gun of a U.S. Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet launched from USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72). Hasna is no longer transiting to Iran.
The U.S. blockade against ships attempting to enter or depart Iranian ports remains in full effect. CENTCOM forces continue to act deliberately and professionally to ensure compliance.
CENTCOM
The United States imposed a naval blockade of Iranian ports on April 13. Six days later, on April 19, in the Arabian Sea, the Arleigh Burke Flight IIA-class guided-missile destroyer USS Spruance (DDG-111) fired on and seized the Iranian container ship M/V Touska, which had violated the blockade. On May 4, Operation Epic Fury was concluded and replaced by Project Freedom, and on the same day Iran carried out a limited missile and drone attack against the United Arab Emirates. The following day, the operation was suspended.
Built in 2003, the tanker M/T Hasna is 333.13 m long and 58 m wide, with a gross tonnage of 160,930 t and a deadweight tonnage of 299,229 DWT. It had had its AIS transponder switched off since April 17, when it was near Sri Lanka, after departing the EOPL anchorage in Singapore on January 28.
The vessel has sailed under the Iranian flag since February 2019. Previously, it sailed under the Panamanian flag under the same name until June 2015, and as Marina until September 2013. Until June 2012, it sailed under the Tanzanian flag as Valor; until March 2008, under the Maltese flag as Harsin; and until June 2003, as Iran Harsin under the Iranian flag.
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) May 6, 2026