Iran port blockade: US forces stop Lian Star after it ignores warnings in Gulf of Oman

US forces disabled a merchant ship in the Gulf of Oman after it tried to enter an Iranian port. A US official told The Associated Press the vessel ignored repeated warnings overnight. The ship, the Gambia-flagged bulk carrier Lian Star, remained adrift after the action. The official said US forces did not board the ship.

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The incident marked the latest effort to enforce an American blockade of Iranian ports. The US military has now stopped six ships attempting to breach the blockade. One vessel was allowed to continue, the official said. The official spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss military operations.

US blockade of Iranian ports and the Lian Star incident

The US started the blockade on April 17 after Iran effectively closed the strait. That closure followed the start of a war linked to US and Israeli strikes on February 28. The official said US aircraft disabled the Lian Star as it tried to reach port. The ship remained in the Gulf of Oman, without US boarding.

Strait of Hormuz disruption and Iranian ports blockade impact

Unrest in the Strait of Hormuz between Iran and Oman has unsettled the global economy. Large volumes of oil and natural gas shipments have been left stranded. Supplies linked to energy, including fertiliser, have also been delayed. The disruption has added pressure on consumers and on food producers worldwide.

The blockade aims to curb Iran’s exports and cut access to cash. US officials see this as a way to deepen financial stress on Iran’s economy. That economy has already faced long-term strain. The shipping actions are part of the wider pressure campaign tied to the strait’s closure.

Ceasefire talks and US blockade of Iranian ports

A ceasefire has held since April 7, though it remained fragile. Governments were awaiting clarity on a possible plan to extend it by 60 days. The proposed extension was linked to new talks on Iran’s disputed nuclear program. Iran said the deal had not been finalised.

US President Donald Trump met advisers on Friday to review next steps. A decision had not been made on extending the ceasefire and reopening the strait. The outcome would affect shipping access and energy flows. For now, the Lian Star incident underlined how strictly the blockade was being enforced.

With inputs from PTI