US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced early on Sunday morning that it has disabled a commercial vessel in the Gulf of Oman after the crew ignored repeated warnings and attempted to bypass the US naval blockade on Iranian ports along the Strait of Hormuz.
The vessel, a Panama-flagged merchant vessel named Ocean Molica, left an Iranian port and attempted to traverse into the Arabian Sea before being struck in the stern by a precision munition launched by a fighter jet, according to CENTCOM.
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
The confirmation came shortly after the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said it received a report that an outbound tanker in the Strait of Hormuz was struck on the port side by an unknown projectile, causing a fire on board.
The crew was reported safe, UKMTO said, adding that damage assessment and environmental impact were unknown at the time of the report.
The blockade, which began on April 13, 2026, was temporarily ended on June 18 following a US-Iran agreement, before being reinstated a month later on July 14.
According to CENTCOM, “four commercial vessels have been disabled, and 135 ships have been turned around during three months of strict enforcement.” 10 tankers linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) have been destroyed in that period of time.
Naval mine critically damages oil tanker in Strait of Hormuz
Additionally, the IRGC said on Saturday that an oil tanker had exploded and caught fire after hitting a naval mine while transiting the Strait of Hormuz, Iranian state media reported.
The Guards did not specify the tanker’s name or flag.
BREAKING: New onboard footage shows the oil tanker that hit an Iranian naval mine earlier today off the UAE coast during the fire. It’s a VLCC carrying 2 million barrels of Saudi crude oil. https://t.co/1DSc1lUueF
— The Hormuz Letter (@HormuzLetter) October 10, 2026
The IRGC Navy announced it was exercising control over the strait and would not allow “aggressor armies” in the area, saying it would counter attempts to disrupt management of the strait, according to the IRGC-linked Tasnim News Agency.
Tehran and Washington have been in diplomatic talks, exchanging and reviewing proposals under which the Strait of Hormuz could reopen “within seven days.”
Despite this, tankers are facing a higher risk of attacks and intimidation as they try to get critical shipments through the Strait of Hormuz after Iran issued new warnings that it would block routes that it has not authorized, sources said.
Last week already saw the biggest number of attacks on tankers in the key waterway since the Iran war began – cutting the number of vessels trying to get through to the lowest in more than two months.
Iran has warned regional countries that any attempt to open new oil export routes would be considered hostile, a senior regional official close to Tehran told Reuters.
The Strait of Hormuz has been a major black eye for the Trump administration. Whether or not current US operational control there succeeds going forward, the US and the world economy have been shaken by Iran’s closure of the strait for much of 2026.
Yonah Jeremy Bob and Reuters contributed to this report.
