May 31, Kathmandu - The U.S. military has reportedly launched missile strikes on the engine room of a cargo vessel attempting to break through the American-imposed blockade on Iranian ports. According to U.S. Central Command, the vessel, flying the Gambian flag, ignored over twenty warnings issued as it tried to access Iranian waters, prompting the U.S. to attack its engine compartment.

The vessel is currently stranded in the Persian Gulf region, unable to operate further. U.S. forces have yet to board or seize control of the ship. Since the start of the blockade in April 2026, six ships attempting to reach Iran have been intercepted—one was allowed to proceed, while 116 others were forced to change course.

The maritime blockade was imposed after Iran intensified its restrictions on the Hormuz Strait, a critical chokepoint for global oil shipments, following a military attack by the U.S. and Israel on Iran on February 28. A ceasefire has been in effect since April 7, with ongoing negotiations to extend the truce by 60 days to discuss Iran’s nuclear program.

The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the world's most vital oil transit routes, and heightened tensions there have disrupted supplies of oil, natural gas, and other commodities, impacting the global economy and consumers. The U.S. aims to tighten Iran’s trade and oil exports through this blockade, exerting economic pressure on Tehran.