U.S. F/A-18 Super Hornet Disables Iranian Tanker in Strait of Hormuz Operation

The U.S. military has carried out its second known interdiction of an Iranian-linked vessel attempting to run the American naval blockade, this time using an F/A-18 Super Hornet's 20mm cannon to blast the rudder off an oil tanker in the Gulf of Oman. The incident occurred Wednesday morning and comes as the Trump administration reportedly moves closer to a peace deal with Tehran.

What Happened

U.S. Central Command forces operating in the Gulf of Oman tracked the Iranian-flagged oil tanker M/T Hasna as it transited international waters bound for an Iranian port. After multiple warnings went unheeded, an F/A-18 Super Hornet launched from the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln was directed to fire several rounds from its 20mm M61A2 Vulcan Gatling gun at the vessel's rudder assembly. The strikes successfully disabled the ship, which subsequently abandoned its course toward Iran, according to a CENTCOM statement.

Blockade Enforcement Escalates

The Hasna incident marks the second known use of force against a blockade-running vessel in recent weeks. On April 19th, the Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer USS Spruance struck the Iranian cargo ship Touska with nine inert rounds from its 5-inch MK 45 gun after the vessel failed to comply with warnings in the north Arabian Sea. Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine noted at the time that 34 ships had chosen to turn around rather than risk confrontation. Only one—the Touska—did not, leading to the warning shots.

"The U.S. blockade against ships attempting to enter or depart Iranian ports remains in full effect," CENTCOM stated following the Hasna engagement. "CENTCOM forces continue to act deliberately and professionally to ensure compliance."

The Broader Regional Context

The engagement comes amid a volatile period for commercial shipping in the Persian Gulf and Strait of Hormuz—the world's most critical oil transit chokepoint. A French-owned container vessel, the CMA CGM San Antonio, was struck by an Iranian drone, leaving eight crew members injured and the vessel drifting without power. The attack occurred just hours before President Trump paused the short-lived Project Freedom operation, which had been launched to escort commercial vessels through the region.

The pause followed Iran's direct fire on U.S. warships and commercial vessels under Project Freedom protection, and came after diplomatic pressure from Pakistan, which has been facilitating backchannel negotiations. According to NBC News, the pause was also forced by a Saudi decision to suspend U.S. military access to Prince Sultan Airbase and Saudi airspace—creating a significant operational constraint for the campaign.

A Fragile Peace Process

Despite the on-again, off-again military posturing, the U.S. and Iran are reportedly nearing an agreement on a one-page memorandum of understanding that could set the framework for ending hostilities and resuming nuclear negotiations. Axios reported that the White House expects Iranian responses on several key points within 48 hours. President Trump has warned that if no deal is reached, bombing operations will resume "at a much higher level and intensity than it was before."

Meanwhile, satellite imagery analyzed by the Institute for Science and International Security shows Iran has begun deliberately blocking tunnel portals at the Pickaxe Mountain complex near the Natanz Nuclear Complex with dirt and rock—interpreted as a defensive measure against potential ground operations targeting the nuclear program.

Industry Impact

For defense contractors and military equipment suppliers, the Hormuz standoff represents a sustained period of heightened demand for maritime security assets, naval weapons systems, and escort capabilities. The engagement also highlights the continued relevance of carrier-based aviation in power projection scenarios—a key consideration for defense procurement planning.

For the tactical gear consumer, the broader geopolitical situation reinforces the case for personal preparedness. Whether the peace talks succeed or fail, the Strait of Hormuz remains a flashpoint with direct implications for global energy markets and supply chains.

Source: The War Zone

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Sources: The War Zone