Blockade enforcement hits departing vessel
US forces disabled the St. Kitts-flagged cargo ship M/V Huda in the Gulf of Oman on November 7, 2026, after the vessel tried to breach the American naval blockade of Iran. A military aircraft fired precision munitions at the stern of the ship as it attempted to leave regional waters following a port call in Iran, US Central Command said. The crew was directed to move out of the sections marked for impact before the strike.
No update was provided on the condition of the crew or the extent of damage to the vessel, though Central Command released footage of the strike. The command said the civilian crew ignored repeated warnings and made multiple attempts to violate the blockade.
Wider enforcement and new task force
The blockade covers all ships entering or leaving Iranian ports and was resumed on July 14. Since then, 147 commercial vessels have turned back after receiving orders, while five merchant ships that refused were disabled. Ten Iranian oil tankers linked to the shadow network of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps were also destroyed earlier.
In October, a fighter jet struck the stern of the Panama-flagged cargo ship Ocean Molica in the same waters, disabling its propulsion without harming the crew. Central Command said US forces typically aim at the engine room, stern or rudder to halt a vessel without sinking it.
Admiral Brad Cooper, head of Central Command, has directed the formation of Task Force Iron Gate, based in Tampa. The unit will work to interrupt the movement of sophisticated weapons, dual-use technologies, sanctioned goods and illicit revenue into Iran by land and across the Caspian Sea.
Central Command has advised all mariners operating near Iranian coastal waters to heed blockade warnings from US forces. For owners, charterers and brokers, the pattern means vessels calling at Iranian ports face intervention when departing, and standard targeting is intended to stop a voyage rather than destroy the ship.
Cover image: Vyacheslav Argenberg, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
As Editor in Chief of The Maritime, I lead content development, interviews, and digital storytelling across our multimedia maritime platform. With over 10 years of experience in the maritime industry, I create and publish in-depth stories and video features that highlight key players, emerging trends, and operational realities across global shipping. Before launching The Maritime, I worked as a Vessel Operator at Imza Marine A.S., gaining hands-on commercial shipping and voyage operations experience. I also served as Marketing Communications Specialist at Gimas Ship Supply & Services, where I managed corporate communication, digital strategy, and industry outreach for shipowners and maritime clients. I hold a Master’s degree in Maritime Transportation Management from Istanbul Technical University and a Master’s degree in Publishing from Marmara University. My work is driven by the belief that the maritime world deserves strong, informed, and accessible media representation. I am committed to sharing the stories of maritime professionals and contributing to the sector’s visibility, knowledge exchange, and future development.
