A U.S. military helicopter fired a missile at the rudder of a Panama-flagged vessel in the pre-dawn hours of Tuesday after the ship's crew ignored warnings from American personnel enforcing a blockade of Iran's ports. The strike prompted the crew to abandon the ship, according to The Wall Street Journal.
A maritime security firm confirmed that the missile strike ignited a fire aboard the vessel, which was later extinguished. All 17 crew members were forced to evacuate. There were no immediate reports of casualties.
This incident occurs as oil prices have risen to $89 a barrel, with gasoline prices nearing $4 a gallon, adding to economic pressures as the United States approaches the November midterm elections. The Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway for global oil supply, has become a focal point in stalled peace negotiations between the U.S. and Iran.
The Iranian regime is seeking joint control of the strait, including the ability to levy taxes on passing vessels as a retaliatory measure. The White House, however, insists on the restoration of free passage before lifting the blockade on Tehran.
Donald Trump's administration has implemented a blockade on Iran, increasing tensions with civilian maritime traffic attempting to bypass restrictions on the regime's ports.
