Updated

US forces struck the stern of a commercial cargo ship in the Gulf of Oman that was allegedly attempting to run a blockade linked to Iran, disabling the vessel without harming its crew, according to US Central Command (CENTCOM). The incident reflects heightened US military activity in the region amid ongoing tensions over Iran and the Strait of Hormuz. The action comes against a backdrop of broader regional instability, including the Houthi attack on Riyadh and debates in Washington over further military engagement against Iran-aligned forces in the Middle East.