MT Marivex, an unladen Palau-flagged tanker with 24 Indian crew members, was disabled by a US Navy F/A-18 strike in international waters of the Gulf of Oman on June 8 after attempting to reach an Iranian port. All crew were evacuated safely by Omani authorities. The vessel had been blacklisted by US OFAC and reportedly ignored naval warnings.
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“US military disables oil tanker headed to Iranian port in the Gulf of Oman - Stars and Stripes”
Read at Stars and Stripes →“US warplane strikes, disables oil tanker near Oman; crew of 24 Indians evacuated”
Read at Times of India →The strike reflects aggressive enforcement of unilateral sanctions viewed as economic warfare, imposing collateral risks on Global South workers and eroding navigation norms.
“Human and diplomatic costs of militarized sanctions enforcement”
The action demonstrates necessary deterrence against Iran through credible force when sanctions are violated.
“Restoration of American strength and enforcement credibility”
The incident shows coercive state power overriding voluntary commerce via extraterritorial sanctions and naval projection.
“Infringement on free exchange and property rights”
All perspectives assume a lawful blockade without examining its legal existence or operational gaps in the engagement sequence.
“Normalization of attacks on merchant traffic and precedent risks”
Ratings by MBFC
US Military Disables Palau-Flagged Oil Tanker in Gulf of Oman You are here