U.S. Forces Strike Cargo Vessel in Gulf of Oman

U.S. Central Command reported that American forces disabled a cargo vessel allegedly trying to breach the blockade imposed on Iranian ports.

A U.S. fighter jet targeted the Panama-flagged M/V Ocean Molica, also known as “Arika Sun,” on Saturday while it was navigating through the Gulf of Oman.

“U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) forces disabled a commercial cargo vessel in the Gulf of Oman, Oct. 10, after the ship’s crew ignored repeated warnings and attempted to run the ongoing naval blockade against Iran,” they shared on social media.

The strike involved a precision munition aimed to completely disable the ship’s propulsion without causing harm to the crew. Video clips released by CENTCOM show flames erupting from the vessel upon impact.

Reports suggest the vessel had departed from an Iranian port.

Since reactivating the blockade against Iran on July 14, CENTCOM has reportedly disabled four vessels and redirected 135 others.

Furthermore, CENTCOM indicated that during the same timeframe, American forces destroyed ten tankers associated with the extensive shadow network of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

“All mariners are advised to heed blockade warnings from CENTCOM forces,” the command emphasized.