An explosion aboard a vessel attempting to break the blockade, as shown in footage released by US Central Command. [Reuters]
An explosion aboard a vessel attempting to break the blockade, as shown in footage released by US Central Command. [Reuters]

The US military struck a merchant vessel in the Gulf of Oman that appeared to be attempting to break through the anti-Iran maritime blockade.

US Central Command (CENTCOM), which oversees American military operations in the Middle East, said Saturday (local time) that it had attacked a cargo ship in the Gulf of Oman and disabled it. CENTCOM added that the vessel's crew had ignored repeated warnings and attempted to breach the ongoing maritime blockade against Iran.

"US military aircraft struck the stern of the Panama-flagged MV Ocean Mollika with precision-guided munitions, completely disabling the vessel's propulsion with no crew casualties," CENTCOM said, adding that the large cargo ship had departed from an Iranian port before attempting to transit through regional waters.

Footage released by CENTCOM showed an explosion erupting from the ship's stern.

It was the first time in more than a month that the US military had officially confirmed a strike on an Iran-related target, following its announcement on Sept. 8 that it had attacked five Iranian oil tankers. At the time, the military said it had destroyed the tankers in response to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps firing ballistic missiles at US naval vessels.

Tensions have been rising across the Middle East in recent weeks. Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels have launched attacks targeting Saudi Arabian airports and oil facilities, while Iran has stepped up strikes on merchant vessels attempting to transit the Strait of Hormuz.

Attention has turned to whether the United States will mount a broader military response.

President Donald Trump, when asked by reporters at the White House whether the US planned to join Saudi Arabia in striking the Houthis, left the door open, saying, "We might. We'll look into it."


yckim6452@heraldcorp.com