US forces disabled a Gambian-flagged cargo ship in the Gulf of Oman after it ignored warnings and headed toward an Iranian port, reported the Associated Press.

Central Command said a US aircraft fired a Hellfire missile into the engine room of the Liam Star, a 1,600 dwt general cargo ship built in 1993 and owned in the UAE. The vessel, 71 metres in length, was left adrift but has not been boarded.



US forces issued more than 20 warnings, telling the crew the ship was in violation of the blockade. AIS data showed the vessel was sailing from Pakistan to Iraq. The military has now redirected 116 ships and stopped six from breaching the blockade since enforcement began on April 17.



The interception came as President Donald Trump said on social media the blockade "which will now be lifted" was ending, allowing stranded ships in the Persian Gulf to head home. Earlier, he told advisers he would make a "final determination" on extending the ceasefire with Iran for 60 days.



Mr Trump listed demands including that Iran never obtain nuclear weapons, keep the Strait of Hormuz open without tolls, and remove mines. He also said enriched uranium stockpiles would be destroyed with the International Atomic Energy Agency. The White House later confirmed a Situation Room meeting had concluded, while Iran insisted no deal had been reached.