On Friday, the US military fired on and disabled two Iranian-flagged tankers, the M/T Sea Star III and M/T Sevda, which were attempting to violate the blockade of Iran's ports. This blockade has been in place since April 13, following unsuccessful peace talks in Pakistan. The US Central Command (CENTCOM) reported that a US Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet used precision munitions to target the ships' smokestacks, effectively preventing their entry into Iranian waters. This incident marks the fourth time US forces have halted vessels for violating the blockade. Previously, another Iranian-flagged ship, the M/T Hasna, was disabled by an F/A-18 using its 20mm cannon, while the M/V Touska was also targeted after ignoring warnings. The situation escalated after the US-Israeli air campaign against Iran began on February 28, leading to Tehran's forces closing the crucial Strait of Hormuz, a vital route for oil and gas shipments.