U.S. military intercepts 133 ships amid Iran maritime blockade

The U.S. Central Command has reported significant maritime enforcement actions as part of a blockade against Iran. Since the resumption of the blockade in July, the U.S. military has forced 133 to 135 merchant vessels to change course to ensure compliance with established restrictions.

In a recent escalation, a U.S. fighter jet struck the Ocean Molica, a bulk carrier owned and operated by a Hong Kong-based company, in the Gulf of Oman. The strike hit the vessel's stern, causing its propulsion system to fail completely. The vessel, which flies the Panamanian flag, reportedly ignored multiple warnings while attempting to breach the blockade after leaving an Iranian port. No crew members were injured during the incident.

According to military reports, four merchant ships have been struck and rendered immobile for violating blockade rules over the past three months. Additionally, the U.S. military claims to have destroyed 10 tankers linked to a multi-billion dollar underground transport network operated by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). The ongoing conflict in the region has severely impacted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global route for oil, petroleum products, and liquefied natural gas.