US Military Hits Merchant Ship in Gulf of Oman, Says It Tried to Breach Iran Maritime Blockade

The U.S. military struck a cargo ship in the Gulf of Oman after it departed an Iranian port, disabling the vessel and halting its voyage. U.S. Central Command said the ship ignored repeated warnings and attempted to breach a maritime blockade on Iran.

Central Command disclosed the strike on the Panama-flagged Ocean Molika in a post on X on Oct. 10. "U.S. military aircraft struck the stern of the Panama-flagged Ocean Molika with precision-guided munitions, completely disabling the vessel's propulsion without causing casualties among the crew," the command said.

The military said it issued multiple warnings before the strike. Central Command said the large cargo ship had left an Iranian port and was attempting to transit regional waters. Video released alongside the statement showed an explosion at the stern.

The announcement marked the first official U.S. disclosure in more than a month of a strike on an Iran-linked vessel, since Sept. 8. At that time, Central Command said it had destroyed five Iranian tankers in response to a ballistic missile attack by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, or IRGC, on U.S. naval vessels.

The strike came as clashes over maritime routes and energy infrastructure in the Middle East continued. Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels have been attacking airports and oil facilities in Saudi Arabia, while Iran has also attacked merchant ships attempting to pass through the Strait of Hormuz.

President Donald Trump also left open the possibility of additional military action against the Houthis. Asked at the White House whether the U.S. planned to join Saudi Arabia's attacks on the Houthis, Trump replied: "It could happen. I'll consider it."