US disables cargo ship after it ignores Iran blockade warnings

U.S. Central Command said its forces disabled the Panama-flagged M/V Ocean Molica, also known as Arika Sun, in the Gulf of Oman on October 10. A fighter jet struck the stern with a precision munition after the crew ignored repeated warnings and tried to run the naval blockade against Iran, disabling propulsion with no crew harmed. CENTCOM said the ship had left an Iranian port. The blockade of ships entering or departing Iranian ports resumed July 14. In three months U.S. forces disabled four commercial vessels, turned back 135 ships, and destroyed 10 tankers linked to the IRGC shadow network, CENTCOM said. It advised mariners to monitor Notice to Mariners and use channel 16 on approach to the Gulf of Oman and Strait of Hormuz. The statement was posted on X on October 11, 2026. CONTESTED: Ynet reported the jet struck the ship's legs; CENTCOM and other outlets said the stern. No destination details were released.