Muscat (Oman)/Tehran (Iran)/Washington (U.S.),31 May (HS): The United States disabled a commercial tanker advancing in the Gulf of Oman despite repeated warnings by firing a Hellfire missile, a air-to-surface weapon. The information was disclosed by the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) on its X handle. CENTCOM is the U.S. Department of Defense's primary combatant command, responsible for managing American security interests and military operations in the Middle East, Central Asia, and South Asia. Iran has sharply condemned the U.S. action.

According to reports by Gulf News and Al Jazeera, the incident could affect the ongoing peace talks between the two countries. CENTCOM stated that the commercial vessel flying the flag of Gambia was rendered inoperable in a Hellfire missile strike in the Gulf of Oman. The ship had been disregarding warnings and was advancing toward an Iranian port. Mohsen Rezaei, an adviser to Iran's Supreme Leader, said the United States is committing diplomatic betrayal by maintaining a military blockade.

The disabled vessel has been identified as the M/V Lian Star. It was reported that the U.S. Navy and Air Force observed the ship progressing in international waters in violation of military blockade rules. More than 20 warnings were issued. CENTCOM officials said the ship's crew did not comply with the warnings, necessitating a missile strike. The vessel can no longer proceed.

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said that despite this, negotiations with Iran are progressing well. President Donald Trump is not in a hurry to cut a peace deal; he wants an agreement that meets his standards. The president has made clear that Iran must, under all circumstances, accept certain conditions. A draft of the agreement is ready. Iran must, under all circumstances, abandon its nuclear program. Without that, any agreement is impossible.

Pentagon chief Hegseth, participating in a defense summit in Singapore on Saturday, said Washington would not hesitate to restart war if needed, and the United States has ample equipment for that. Earlier, CENTCOM posted on X that U.S. forces are present in the Strait of Hormuz and are fully on alert.

According to an ABC News report, Omani authorities issued an alert on Saturday, warning all vessels to exercise caution. The Oman Maritime Security Centre claimed a suspicious floating object (possibly a naval mine) was sighted in Omani waters near the Strait of Hormuz. The object was observed just west of the strait's inshore traffic zone. Mariners, fishermen and commercial ships were advised to keep their distance and report immediately. Oman's Ministry of Defence also called for adherence to the advisory.

Meanwhile, a U.S. official said that during an Iranian missile attack intercepted on Wednesday over Kuwait's Ali Al Salem Air Base, several U.S. service members and civilian contractors sustained minor injuries from debris falling while the missile was intercepted, and they have now returned to duty. As of Friday, Pentagon data indicated 409 service members have been injured in the war with Iran, most suffering traumatic brain injuries. Notably, the confrontation between the United States and Iran has persisted since February 28. President Donald Trump announced large-scale military action against Iran on February 28. Subsequently, the United States and Israel launched fierce attacks targeting military, government and infrastructure sites. The strike killed Iran's then Supreme Leader and several military commanders.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar