Florida, October 11 (ANI) — The US military announced Saturday that it had disabled a Panama-flagged commercial cargo vessel in the Gulf of Oman after the crew allegedly ignored warnings and attempted to breach Washington’s naval blockade against Iran, amid escalating tensions along regional shipping corridors.
Detailing the operation on social media, the US Central Command (CENTCOM) stated in a post on X: “A US military fighter jet struck the stern of Panama-flagged M/V Ocean Molica (also known as the ‘Arika Sun’) with a precision munition, fully disabling the ship’s propulsion without harming the crew.”
According to CENTCOM, the bulk carrier attempted to transit regional waters after departing from an Iranian port. To enforce its ongoing naval blockade covering maritime traffic entering and leaving Iranian ports, US forces have imposed strict restrictions on vessels operating to and from those locations.
The enforcement operation involves issuing direct warnings and orders to commercial vessels, with naval units redirecting ships that comply and disabling those that refuse to follow instructions.
In an October 10 statement, CENTCOM reported that four commercial vessels had been disabled and 135 ships turned back during three months of enforcement operations. It also reported the destruction of 10 tankers linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ shadow shipping network.
Amid mounting disruptions to regional maritime trade and growing security concerns in waters surrounding Iran, particularly the Gulf of Oman and the Strait of Hormuz, CENTCOM urged regional mariners to comply with all blockade directives issued by US forces. The Strait of Hormuz is a vital energy transportation route for international markets.
Ship crews were advised to monitor Notices to Mariners broadcasts closely and instructed to maintain communication with US naval personnel on bridge-to-bridge radio channel 16 while navigating the Gulf of Oman and the approaches to the Strait of Hormuz. (ANI)
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