The United States military reported that it intercepted and disabled a commercial cargo vessel in the Gulf of Oman on Thursday after the ship's crew disregarded multiple warnings and attempted to navigate through an active naval blockade imposed on Iran. The incident was detailed in a post on the US Central Command (Centcom) X account, which described the engagement as a response to a breach of the blockade.
According to Centcom, the vessel – identified as the Panama‑flagged M/V Ocean Molica, also known by the name “Arika Sun” – was struck by a precision munition fired from a US fighter jet. The missile hit the stern of the ship, causing a complete loss of propulsion capability. The statement emphasized that the strike was aimed solely at disabling the vessel's movement and that no crew members were injured in the operation.
Centcom added that the cargo ship had departed from an Iranian port and subsequently attempted to transit regional waters that are currently under the blockade. The US military indicated that the ship's actions constituted a violation of the naval restrictions, prompting the decision to intervene.
The US Central Command’s announcement did not provide further details about the cargo, the ship’s ownership, or the specific route it intended to follow. It also did not disclose whether any additional measures, such as boarding or seizure, would follow the disabling of the vessel’s propulsion system.
Middle East Eye reported the development based on the Centcom statement, noting that the US action reflects ongoing tensions in the region surrounding Iran’s maritime activities. The incident underscores the heightened vigilance of US forces in enforcing the blockade and the potential for similar confrontations if other vessels attempt to breach the restrictions.
Reporting attribution: based on reporting by Middle East Eye — original source: https://www.middleeasteye.net/live-blog/live-blog-update/centcom-says-cargo-vessel-trying-run-iran-blockade-disabled.