US Fighter Jet Blasts Cargo Ship’s Stern In Explosive Gulf Of Oman Strike

A U.S. fighter jet struck a cargo ship with a precision munition on October 10, 2026, after its crew ignored repeated warnings and attempted to leave an Iranian port, according to U.S. Central Command.

The strike hit the stern of the Panama-flagged M/V Ocean Molica, also known as Arika Sun, disabling the vessel’s propulsion, CENTCOM said. No crew members were injured.

Infrared targeting footage released by CENTCOM captures a bright explosion erupting at the ship’s stern as it travels through open water.

The strike took place under a U.S. naval blockade that resumed on July 14. The vessel, a bulk carrier registered under IMO number 9139270, was targeted after its crew allegedly attempted to leave an Iranian port despite repeated warnings.

CENTCOM said that during three months of blockade enforcement, U.S. forces had disabled four commercial ships, turned around 135 vessels and destroyed 10 tankers linked to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.