U.S. Central Command says a Maine-built warship forced an Iranian vessel back to port.
The USS Spruance, built by Bath Iron Works, turned back the enemy vessel on Tuesday, CENTCOM announced Wednesday on X.
The Iranian-flagged cargo vessel “tried to evade the U.S. blockade after leaving Bandar Abbas, exiting the Strait of Hormuz, and transiting along the Iranian coastline,” the Pentagon said.
At the critical moment of confrontation, U.S. sailors aboard the Spruance told the Iranian ship, “prepare to be boarded.”
The guided-missile destroyer USS Spruance (DDG 111) successfully redirected the vessel, which headed back to Iran, the U.S. Navy said.
Ten vessels have now been turned around and no ships have broken through since the start of the U.S. blockade on Monday, U.S. Defense officials said.
The $1 billion Spruance is the same ship that fired a Tomahawk Land Attack Missile in support of Operation Epic Fury earlier this year against the Khamenei regime.
Bath Iron Works launched the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer Spruance on June 6, 2010 after it was christened by Ellen Spruance Holscher.
Holscher is the granddaughter of the ship’s namesake, Adm. Raymond Spruance (1886–1969), who commanded American naval forces at the Battles of Midway and the Philippine Sea.
Spruance was later ambassador to the Philippines.
The ship in his name was the first Navy destroyer to be fitted with the Gigabit Ethernet Data Multiplex System.
The system provides an internet signal for video and data services.
Transcript from the spruance pilothouse:
“The US has announced a formal blockade of Iranian ports and coastal areas. This is a legal action.
“All vessels are advised to immediately return to port if leaving and discontinue transit to Iran if that is your next port of call.
“Do not attempt to breach the blockade. Vessels will be boarded for interdiction and seizure. Turn around or prepare to be boarded.
“If you do not comply with this blockade, we will use force. The whole United States Navy is ready to force compliance. Now.”
