U.S. Navy and CENTCOM forces disabled two Iran-bound oil tankers in the Gulf of Oman and Arabian Sea to enforce a naval blockade [1].

These actions signal an escalation in the enforcement of U.S. sanctions against Iran. By physically disabling vessels, the U.S. military is moving beyond diplomatic warnings to active maritime interdiction to prevent oil shipments from reaching Iranian ports.

The operations targeted the M/T Lavine and the M/T Charminar [1]. According to CENTCOM footage, the disabling actions occurred on Friday, May 31, 2026 [1, 2]. The M/T Lavine, a Mozambique-flagged vessel [1], was intercepted in the Gulf of Oman, while the M/T Charminar, flagged in Comoros [1], was stopped in the Arabian Sea.

During the operations, U.S. forces conducted verification boardings of the ships. A CENTCOM spokesperson said, "We have disabled the vessel to enforce the blockade and protect regional shipping" [3]. In total, U.S. forces have redirected 12 vessels [1] and disabled two [1] as part of this blockade effort.

The M/T Lavine carried a crew of 24 Indian seafarers [2]. Following reports of a fire on the vessel, an Indian Foreign Ministry spokesperson said, "All 24 Indian seafarers are safe" [2].

U.S. military officials indicated that these operations are part of a broader strategy to maintain regional security and ensure compliance with international sanctions. A U.S. military official with knowledge of the operation said, "We will continue to enforce the blockade and take necessary action against any vessel attempting to breach it" [4].

The timing of the disabling actions has been reported with some variance, with some records noting the events occurred on Monday, June 3, 2026 [2]. However, CENTCOM footage released the day after the Friday operations suggests the initial interceptions happened May 31 [1, 2].

“"We have disabled the vessel to enforce the blockade and protect regional shipping,"”

The use of physical disabling tactics against commercial tankers represents a high-friction approach to sanctions enforcement. By targeting vessels flagged in neutral nations like Mozambique and Comoros, the U.S. is prioritizing the blockade's integrity over the diplomatic complexities of flag-state sovereignty. This strategy aims to create a significant deterrent for shipping companies attempting to facilitate Iranian oil exports.