CENTCOM Disables Ocean Molica in Gulf of Oman

A US military operation disabled a Panama flagged commercial vessel in the Gulf of Oman after the ship attempted to bypass a naval blockade on Iranian ports, US Central Command said. The action followed warnings and was carried out with a precision munition.

CENTCOM identified the vessel as Ocean Molica, which had departed an Iranian port and was traveling toward the Arabian Sea before it was struck in the stern by a fighter jet launched munition, according to the command.

The operation was announced after the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations reported that an outbound tanker in the Strait of Hormuz was hit by an unknown projectile, causing a fire. The crew was reported safe, while damage and environmental effects remained unclear.

The US blockade began on April 13, 2026, ended temporarily on June 18 after a US Iran agreement, and was reinstated on July 14, according to the report.

According to CENTCOM, the enforcement campaign resulted in multiple maritime actions.

"Four commercial vessels have been disabled, and 135 ships have been turned around during three months of strict enforcement." said US Central Command.

CENTCOM also said 10 tankers linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps had been destroyed during that period.

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps separately reported that an oil tanker exploded and caught fire after striking a naval mine while crossing the Strait of Hormuz, according to Iranian state media.

The IRGC did not identify the tanker or provide its flag. The force said it was maintaining control over the strait and would respond to efforts to disrupt its management.

"Aggressor armies" said the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy in a statement reported by Tasnim News Agency.

US and Iranian officials were also exchanging proposals aimed at reopening the Strait of Hormuz within seven days, while tanker traffic continued facing security risks in the waterway.