U.S. jet disables cargo ship running Iran blockade

A US fighter aircraft struck the Panama-flagged cargo ship M/V Ocean Molica, also known as Arika Sun, in the Gulf of Oman on October 10, according to US Central Command. CENTCOM said the vessel ignored repeated warnings while attempting to breach the American blockade of Iranian ports, prompting a precision-guided strike on its stern that disabled propulsion without reported crew injuries. The military did not identify the aircraft type, munition, cargo or subsequent disposition of the ship. Since enforcement resumed on July 14, CENTCOM says its forces have disabled four commercial vessels and turned back 135 others.