US Military Disables Cargo Ship in Gulf of Oman Amid Iran Blockade

The US military said on Saturday that it had disabled a commercial cargo ship in the Gulf of Oman after its crew allegedly ignored warnings and attempted to breach the naval blockade against Iran.

US Central Command (CENTCOM) said a US fighter jet struck the rear of the Panama-flagged vessel, M/V Ocean Molica, also known as the Arika Sun, using precision ammunition. The strike disabled the ship’s propulsion system without injuring its crew, according to CENTCOM.

The military command said the vessel had attempted to pass through regional waters after departing from an Iranian port.

CENTCOM urged ships operating in the Gulf of Oman and near the Strait of Hormuz to follow blockade instructions, monitor official maritime warnings and contact US naval forces when necessary.

The vessel’s operator was not immediately available for comment.

The incident comes as commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has declined sharply amid rising attacks on tankers. The number of vessels passing through the strategic waterway reportedly fell to its lowest level in more than two months.

Attacks on tankers also reached their highest level last week since the United States and Israel launched their war against Iran in February, raising concerns about further disruptions to global shipping and oil supplies.

Before the conflict, the Strait of Hormuz carried around 20% of the world’s oil consumption, making it one of the most important routes for global energy shipments.