US Central Command (Centcom) says it has disabled an oil tanker which has violated Washington’s naval blockade by attempting to transport oil from Iran.

Centcom has “disabled Palau-flagged M/T Settebello as it transited the Gulf of Oman”, it says in a statement.

“A US aircraft fired precision munitions into the ship’s engine room after the crew repeatedly failed to comply with directions from American forces,” the statement reads.

“Centcom forces have disabled eight non-compliant vessels, redirected 134 ships that complied, and allowed 42 vessels supporting humanitarian aid to pass since initiating the blockade on April 13.”