The United States Navy announced on Saturday that it has deactivated a commercial cargo ship in the Gulf of Oman. This action was taken after the ship's crew attempted to violate Iran's maritime blockade and ignored the warnings given.
Details of the Deactivation Operation
The United States Navy stated that a fighter jet from the country attacked the rear of the Panama-flagged cargo ship named M/V Ocean Molica (also known as 'Arica San') using precision munitions, completely deactivating the ship. This operation was carried out without harming the ship's crew. The United States Central Command (CENTCOM) announced that this cargo ship had entered the regional waters after departing from an Iranian port.
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Warning to Mariners
CENTCOM warned mariners in the Gulf of Oman and near the Strait of Hormuz to heed blockade warnings, monitor navigational notices, and contact U.S. naval forces. These warnings were issued as the number of vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz has dropped to its lowest level in over two months. This decrease follows an increase in attacks on tankers last week, particularly after the onset of the U.S. and Israel's war against Iran in February.
The Strait of Hormuz previously carried 20 percent of global oil consumption, and this new development has raised concerns about disruptions in transportation and rising oil prices.
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