US Forces Disable Panama‑Flagged Cargo Ship in Gulf of Oman to Enforce Iran Blockade

A U.S. fighter jet struck the stern of the Panama‑flagged M/V Ocean Molica (also known as the Arika Sun) in the Gulf of Oman, rendering the vessel’s propulsion inoperable while the crew remained unharmed. The strike was carried out by U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) after the ship was found attempting to run a naval blockade imposed on Iranian ports.

CENTCOM said the U.S. resumed its blockade on July 14, during which it disabled four commercial vessels and turned around 135 ships over a three‑month period. The same forces destroyed 10 tankers linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ (IRGC) multibillion‑dollar shadow network.

U.S. Senator Chris Murphy criticized the action on social media, questioning the cost to taxpayers for striking commercial ships.

The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) confirmed the incident, noting that a tanker was struck in the Gulf of Oman and that crew members were safe, though damage and environmental impact were still being assessed.

In a parallel development, the IRGC claimed it had struck an LPG carrier, the NV Sunshine, in the Strait of Hormuz for attempting an illegal route. The UKMTO reported that an outbound tanker in the strait was hit on its port side by an unknown projectile, causing a fire but leaving the crew unharmed.

The incident underscores Tehran’s ongoing efforts to control the Strait of Hormuz and the growing risk for vessels seeking alternative routes along the southern coast. A separate UKMTO alert noted a vessel 94 km (58 miles) north of Madinat ash Shamal, off Qatar’s north coast, had been struck by multiple projectiles, resulting in casualties, with authorities still investigating the attack.