US warplane knocks out ship breaching Iran blockade as tankers burn in Hormuz
A US fighter jet knocked out a cargo ship trying to breach Washington’s blockade of Iran, as a tanker caught fire in a Strait of Hormuz lane that has come under attack from Tehran’s forces. US Central Command (Centcom) said the jet struck the stern of the Panama-flagged Ocean Molika, also known as the Arika Sun, with a precision munition on Saturday after its crew had ignored repeated warnings.…
U.S. military forces targeted a cargo ship attempting to breach the Iranian blockade in the Strait of Hormuz, disabling the vessel without harming its crew. The Panama-flagged Ocean Molika, also known as the Arika Sun, was struck with a precision munition after ignoring repeated warnings. Video footage showed an explosion on the ship, releasing a plume of smoke into the air.
This incident marks the latest escalation in a campaign where shipping has been restricted and now enforced with live fire. Since July 14, U.S. forces claim they have disabled four commercial vessels and turned around 135 more. The blockade encompasses ships entering or leaving Iranian ports.
The Strait of Hormuz, a vital waterway, has seen increasing danger due to projectiles, fires, and even alleged mines. The cause remains unconfirmed, but these events highlight the rising risks for commercial vessels in the region.
In separate news, the UK Maritime Trade Operations also reported an outbound tanker being struck by an unknown projectile in the Strait of Hormuz, causing a fire. All crew members were reported safe. The U.S. Forces Disabled Cargo Vessel Attempting to Violate Blockade incident was announced by Central Command (CENTCOM) on October 11.
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