The US military said on Saturday that it had disabled a commercial cargo vessel in the Gulf of Oman after its crew allegedly ignored warnings and attempted to breach the ongoing American naval blockade against Iran. Tensions between Washington and Tehran have continued for the past seven months following the US military campaign against Iran, which began on February 28. The US Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed that an American fighter jet struck the vessel, disabling its propulsion system without causing harm to the crew. "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," CENTCOM posted on X.

U.S. Forces Disable Cargo Vessel Attempting to Violate Blockade

TAMPA, Fla. — 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. A U.S. 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. The large cargo vessel was attempting to transit regional waters after having previously departed an Iranian port. CENTCOM forces resumed America’s blockade against all ships entering or departing Iranian ports on July 14. Four commercial vessels have been disabled and 135 ships have been turned around during three months of strict enforcement. Additionally, U.S. forces have destroyed 10 tankers linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps' multibillion-dollar shadow network over the same period. All mariners are advised to heed blockade warnings from CENTCOM forces. Crews should also continue to monitor Notice to Mariners broadcasts and contact U.S. naval forces on bridge-to-bridge channel 16 when operating in the Gulf of Oman and Strait of Hormuz approaches. — U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) October 11, 2026

According to the US military, the cargo ship had departed from an Iranian port before attempting to travel through regional waters despite the blockade. CENTCOM said American forces had resumed enforcing the blockade on July 14 against vessels entering or leaving Iranian ports. It added that four commercial ships had been disabled and 135 vessels had been turned back during three months of enforcement. The command also claimed that US forces had destroyed 10 oil tankers allegedly connected to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps' multibillion-dollar shadow network during the same period.

US Military Issues Warning to Ships in Gulf of Oman

Following the incident, CENTCOM issued an advisory urging commercial vessels operating in the region to follow instructions from American naval forces and comply with blockade warnings. "All mariners are advised to heed blockade warnings from CENTCOM forces. Crews should also continue to monitor Notice to Mariners broadcasts and contact U.S. naval forces on bridge-to-bridge channel 16 when operating in the Gulf of Oman and Strait of Hormuz approaches," CENTCOM said in the statement. The warning highlights the continuing security risks for commercial shipping in the Gulf of Oman and near the Strait of Hormuz, a strategically important waterway for global energy supplies.

Supertanker Reportedly Explodes in Strait of Hormuz

Meanwhile, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said on Saturday that an oil tanker had struck a naval mine and exploded while attempting to leave the Strait of Hormuz. According to the Iranian military organisation, the vessel was trying to exit the area through a southern route that Iranian authorities consider unauthorised. In its statement, the IRGC described the ship as a supertanker capable of transporting approximately two million barrels of oil. It also alleged that the vessel had switched off its navigation systems before attempting to cross the strategic waterway. The IRGC issued a warning to ships operating in the strait, saying, "the fate of every vessel that ignores the rules in the Strait of Hormuz is a horrific fire." However, Iranian authorities did not immediately disclose the vessel's identity or provide details about its crew and possible casualties. A day earlier, Iranian state television had reported powerful explosions in the Strait of Hormuz. Citing military sources, the broadcaster said oil tankers travelling along routes that Tehran considers unauthorised may have struck mines in the southern passage. The reports from both sides came amid heightened tensions over maritime security and restrictions on commercial shipping in waters surrounding Iran.