Disabled oil tanker received dozens of warnings before US opened fire, AP source says - AP News
U.S. Forces Fire on Disabled Oil Tanker After Numerous Warnings, Source Says
An American warship fired upon a disabled oil tanker in international waters after the vessel had received dozens of warnings that apparently went unanswered, a U.S. official told the Associated Press.
The incident, which took place earlier this week, involved a U.S. Navy or Coast Guard ship that opened fire on the tanker after the crew failed to comply with repeated attempts to establish communication. The U.S. source said the tanker “received dozens of warnings before we opened fire,” indicating a prolonged effort to secure the vessel’s cooperation.
While the report does not detail the number of rounds fired or the specific type of ordnance used, the source confirmed that the U.S. forces acted after the tanker was confirmed to be disabled. No injuries or casualties were reported by the American officials involved.
The event highlights the growing tensions in international shipping lanes, where vessels have increasingly been targeted by hijackings or sabotage. U.S. naval and coast guard forces routinely patrol these waters to maintain the safety of commercial shipping and to respond to incidents that threaten maritime security.
According to the AP source, the U.S. authorities had tried to engage the tanker through radio and visual signals. When those attempts failed, the American warship proceeded to fire, a decision made in accordance with established rules of engagement that allow the use of force to neutralize a non‑cooperative or dangerous vessel.
The identity of the tanker’s owners, flag state, or the specific circumstances that led to its disabling were not disclosed in the report. Neither was the final outcome for the crew on board the ship. The U.S. source emphasized that the primary goal was to mitigate any threat posed by the non‑responsive vessel.
This incident follows a series of maritime security operations by U.S. forces in the region, including several occasions where naval units have had to take decisive action to protect shipping lanes from hijackings, piracy, and other forms of maritime terrorism. The U.S. military maintains that it operates under strict rules of engagement designed to safeguard both the safety of its personnel and the integrity of international trade routes.
The Associated Press received the information from an unnamed U.S. official and has not yet received a statement from the U.S. Navy or Coast Guard. Further details about the engagement, including the exact number of warning shots fired and the condition of the tanker after the incident, are pending.
