Photos Appear to Show Fire Aboard Iranian VLCC Disabled by U.S. Navy

New images circulating online appear to show damage and an active fire aboard the Iranian tanker Sea Star III days after the vessel was disabled by a U.S. Navy fighter jet during blockade enforcement operations near the Gulf of Oman.

The photos, posted Monday, purportedly show scorch marks and flames near the funnel area of the National Iranian Tanker Company (NITC) VLCC Sea Star III (IMO 9569205). Notably, the vessel is not carrying any cargo.

“The National Iranian Tanker Company (NITC) VLCC supertanker SEA STAR III (9569205) after her funnel was fired at by a US Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet from