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Photo: IANS

Washington, May 7: The US military has taken action against an Iranian-flagged oil tanker, the Hasna, which was heading towards an Iranian port, as reported by the US Central Command on social media platform X.

The incident occurred at 9 a.m. Eastern Time on Wednesday when the tanker was navigating through international waters towards the Gulf of Oman. According to the command's statement, US forces disabled the vessel's rudder after its crew ignored multiple warnings.

US Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet aircraft, launched from the USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72), fired several rounds from a 20mm cannon to carry out the operation. Following the strike, the Hasna is no longer on its way to Iran.

The US continues to enforce a blockade against vessels attempting to enter or leave Iranian ports, as emphasized by the command.

On the previous day, former President Donald Trump announced on Truth Social that he had suspended the Pentagon's mission to assist commercial ships in navigating the Strait of Hormuz, while the blockade on Iranian ports remains firmly in place, according to reports from a news agency.

Trump also asserted that Iran's military capabilities have suffered significant damage during the ongoing conflict. He stated, “They had a Navy with 159 ships, and now every ship is blown to pieces and lying at the bottom of the water.”

He further claimed that Iran's air force and anti-aircraft systems have been largely destroyed, stating, “Their leaders are all dead. So, I think we won.”

During a press briefing at the White House, Trump expressed optimism about potential negotiations with Iran, saying, “They want to make a deal badly. We’ve had very good talks over the last 24 hours, and it’s very possible that we’ll make a deal.”

He dismissed claims that Iran remains unyielding, questioning the basis of such assertions. Trump reiterated his long-standing stance that Iran must not be allowed to develop nuclear weapons, stating, “They can’t have nuclear weapons, it’s very simple.”