US military disables Panamanian-flagged cargo ship in the Gulf of Oman

On October 10, 2026, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) forces disabled a commercial cargo ship in the Gulf of Oman after it attempted to breach the ongoing naval blockade against Iran. The vessel, identified as the M/V Ocean Molica—also known as the Arika Sun—was sailing under the Panamanian flag. According to military reports, the ship defied repeated warnings from the U.S. Navy and was intercepted shortly after departing from an Iranian port.

A U.S. fighter aircraft utilized a precision strike to target the stern of the vessel, effectively destroying its propulsion system. Officials confirmed that the operation was carried out without causing harm to the ship's crew. This incident marks part of a wider enforcement effort, as the U.S. naval blockade of Iran has been in effect since July 14, 2026. Data provided by CENTCOM indicates that, to date, four commercial vessels have been disabled, 135 have been forced to turn back, and 10 oil tankers linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ shadow network have been destroyed.