L'armée américaine désactive un pétrolier battant pavillon panaméen en violation du blocus dans le détroit d'Ormuz

The U.S. military disabled a Panama-flagged cargo tanker on Tuesday after it attempted to transit the Gulf of Oman in violation of the U.S. naval blockade in the Strait of Hormuz, according to the U.S. Central Command (Centcom). The incident occurred following repeated warnings from U.S. forces, which were ignored by the vessel's civilian crew. A U.S. Navy MH-60 helicopter fired two Hellfire missiles into the steering area of the M/V Vela Nova, a container ship measuring approximately 475 feet in length and 75 feet in width, as confirmed by Marinetraffic.com. The action took place in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global chokepoint through which about 20 percent of the world’s oil and gas flow during peacetime. The move follows statements from Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who earlier in the day asserted that the waterway will remain closed until the U.S. meets several conditions, including the withdrawal of U.S. forces near Iran and financial reparations for the conflict. President Donald Trump had previously stated his desire for compensation from Iran for the deaths of individuals over the past five decades attributed to the country. Maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz has significantly declined, with only six vessels passing through as of Monday, according to maritime tracking firms. The situation reflects ongoing uncertainty regarding a potential peace agreement to resolve tensions between the U.S. and Iran and to reopen the vital waterway. Since initiating the blockade, U.S. forces have redirected 55 commercial ships attempting to bypass the restrictions, disabled three vessels, and boarded two others, as per Centcom reports. President Trump emphasized the U.S. Navy's dominance over the Strait of Hormuz, stating that it is now under complete American control due to an "infallible" blockade described as a "steel wall." During a press conference in the Oval Office, Trump dismissed the notion that the waterway remains closed, asserting that the U.S. Navy controls access and allows entry to vessels deemed appropriate while restricting passage to Iran. He noted that U.S. forces have cleared the strait of Iranian mines, although he acknowledged that Iran still possesses the capability to disrupt operations. Iranian officials maintain that the Strait of Hormuz will not be fully reopened unless the U.S. fulfills a series of demands, including the termination of the naval blockade, the withdrawal of American forces from the region, the lifting of sanctions, the release of frozen Iranian assets, and the payment of reparations for damages incurred during the conflict. These conditions highlight the ongoing stalemate between the two nations, with each side holding firm on its respective stance. Despite these challenges, Trump expressed confidence that Iran's influence is diminishing due to the combined effects of the U.S. military and economic strategies. He pointed to Iran's financial struggles, noting high inflation rates and difficulties in maintaining military personnel. Additionally, Trump shifted the focus of compensation demands, suggesting that Iran should be held accountable for damages and casualties affecting not only Americans but also citizens of Lebanon, Syria, Yemen, and Gaza, regions where Iran has historically supported militant groups. His comments underscore the complexity of the geopolitical landscape and the multifaceted nature of the current standoff between the U.S. and Iran.