Donald Trump’s blockade of Iran is becoming increasingly hostile for civilians after US forces fired on a ship attempting to circumvent the American squeeze on the regime’s ports.

A US military helicopter fired a missile at the rudder of a Panama-flagged vessel just before dawn on Tuesday after its crew ignored warnings from American personnel enforcing the blockade, according to The Wall Street Journal.

The strike forced the crew to abandon the ship and flee to a nearby civilian vessel, although there were no immediate reports of deaths.

A maritime security firm confirmed that the missile strike sparked a fire aboard the ship, which was later extinguished before all 17 crew members were forced to evacuate.

The incident comes as oil prices surged to $89 a barrel Tuesday morning, while gasoline prices hover around $4 a gallon, adding to economic pressure on Americans as the November midterm elections approach.

Control of the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow waterway through which roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil supplies pass, has become a critical sticking point as peace negotiations between the US and Iran have stalled.

The regime is demanding joint control of the strait alongside countries including Oman, as well as the ability to impose taxes on vessels as a form of retribution against Trump. 

The White House, however, wants the immediate restoration of free passage for vessels before the blockade of Tehran can be lifted.

Donald Trump’s blockade of Iran is becoming increasingly hostile for civilians after US forces fired on a ship attempting to circumvent the American squeeze on the regime’s ports

A US military helicopter fired a missile at the rudder of a Panama-flagged vessel just before dawn on Tuesday after its crew ignored warnings from American personnel enforcing the blockade

A maritime security firm confirmed that the missile strike sparked a fire aboard the ship, which was later extinguished before all 17 crew members were forced to evacuate