US attacks Panama-flagged cargo ship in Gulf of Oman

Moscow (ANTARA) – The US military attacked a Panama-flagged cargo ship in the Gulf of Oman on Saturday (10 October), alleging that it had attempted to breach the US-imposed naval blockade of Iran, according to US Central Command (CENTCOM).

“US military fighter aircraft struck the stern of the Panama-flagged M/V Ocean Monica with precision munitions, completely disabling the vessel’s propulsion system without injuring its crew,” CENTCOM said on the X platform.

CENTCOM added that the ship had attempted to cross the waters in the region after departing from a port in Iran.

The vessel was disabled in the Gulf of Oman after its crew ignored repeated warnings, according to CENTCOM.

On 28 February, the United States and Israel began attacking several targets in Iran, which retaliated with attacks of its own.

In mid-June, Tehran and Washington signed a memorandum of understanding to halt hostilities, but they resumed attacks on each other soon afterwards. The conflict remains unresolved.

The escalation halted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a key supply route for the world’s oil, petroleum products and liquefied natural gas (LNG). As a result, fuel prices have risen in most countries.