U.S. Forces Carry Out Strikes On Iran's Radar, Command and Control Sites In Goruk, Disable Bulk Carrier In Gulf of Oman

GULF OF OMAN — U.S. forces operating under Central Command enforced a naval blockade of Iranian ports by disabling a non-compliant Gambia-flagged bulk carrier attempting to reach an Iranian port and conducted precision strikes against Iranian air defense and drone command facilities following the loss of a U.S. unmanned aircraft.

Regional maritime threat level remains critical according to the Joint Maritime Information Center, with commercial traffic in the Strait of Hormuz significantly reduced and vessels routing through Omani waters amid persistent mining threats and GNSS interference.

Blockade Enforcement Against M/V Lian Star

CENTCOM forces observed the M/V Lian Star transiting international waters toward an Iranian port on the Gulf of Oman on May 29 and issued more than 20 warnings while informing the vessel it was in violation of the U.S. blockade.

A U.S. aircraft disabled the vessel by firing a Hellfire missile into the ship’s engine room after the crew failed to comply. The ship is no longer transiting to Iran and remains adrift in the Gulf of Oman.

Th disablement brings the total number of commercial vessels disabled by U.S. forces to five since the blockade began on April 13, with 116 additional vessels redirected to enforce compliance during the ongoing ceasefire with Iran.

U.S. Central Command conducted what it said were self-defense strikes on Iranian radar and command and control sites for drones in Goruk, Iran and Qeshm Island this weekend.

The strikes were carried out in response to actions by Iran that included the shootdown of a U.S. MQ-1 drone operating over international waters.

U.S. fighter aircraft responded by eliminating Iranian air defenses, a ground control station, and two one-way attack drones that posed clear threats to ships transiting regional waters.

CENTCOM reported that no American service members were harmed and said that it will continue to protect U.S. assets and interests in the region.

Official Statements

• U.S. Central Command, May 30: “U.S. forces operating in the Gulf of Oman enforced blockade measures by disabling a Gambia-flagged maritime vessel attempting to sail toward an Iranian port, May 29. U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) forces observed M/V Lian Star transiting international waters toward an Iranian port on the Gulf of Oman and issued more than 20 warnings while informing the vessel it was in violation of the U.S. blockade. A U.S. aircraft disabled the vessel by firing a Hellfire missile into the ship’s engine room after Lian Star’s crew failed to comply. The ship is no longer transiting to Iran. U.S. forces have disabled five commercial vessels and redirected 116 to fully enforce the blockade as a ceasefire with Iran remains in effect.”

• U.S. Central Command, June 1: “U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) conducted self-defense strikes on Iranian radar and command and control sites for drones in Goruk, Iran and Qeshm Island this weekend. The measured and deliberate strikes occurred on Saturday and Sunday in response to aggressive Iranian actions that included the shootdown of a U.S. MQ-1 drone that was operating over international waters. U.S. fighter aircraft swiftly responded by eliminating Iranian air defenses, a ground control station, and two one-way attack drones that posed clear threats to ships transiting regional waters. No American service members were harmed. CENTCOM will continue to protect U.S. assets and interests in response to unwarranted Iranian aggression during the ongoing ceasefire.”