US Forces Disable First Cargo Ship in a Month Sailing from Iranian Port
For the first time in a month, U.S. Forces on Saturday fired on and disabled a cargo ship attempting to breach the blockade of Iranian ports. U.S. Central Command asserted the vessel’s crew ignored repeated warnings and attempted to violate the naval blockade.
The dry bulk carrier Huda (24,993 dwt), the U.S. said, had attempted to depart regional waters after visiting an Iranian port. UK Maritime Trade Operations is placing the vessel approximately 18 nautical miles east of Khor Fakkan, UAE. It said the status of the crew was unknown.
CENTCOM said it had directed the crew to “abandon the targeted spaces” aboard the vessel, which is registered in St. Kitts and Nevis. A U.S. military aircraft reportedly fired precision munitions at the stern of the vessel. The video released shows an explosion on the stern of the vessel.
CENTCOM forces disabled a commercial vessel in the Gulf of Oman, Nov. 7, after the ship’s civilian crew ignored repeated warnings and attempted to violate the naval blockade against Iran multiple times. A U.S. military aircraft fired precision munitions at the stern of St. Kitts-flagged M/V Huda, disabling the ship after CENTCOM forces directed the crew to abandon targeted spaces. The cargo vessel tried to depart regional waters after visiting an Iranian port. Read the full release online: https://t.co/5wW1LqN1oW
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) November 7, 2026
Built in 1999, the Huda is a 159-meter (521-foot) bulker under Turkish management. It does not appear to be under sanctions.
It was the first vessel that the U.S. reported disabling since October 10, when it struck another bulker, the Ocean Molica, in the Gulf of Oman. Like today’s strike, the U.S. asserted the bulker had ignored commands after leaving an Iranian port.
UKMTO map showing confirmed strikes on vessels in the past week as of November 6 (UKMTO)
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CENTCOM reports that the U.S. continues to strictly enforce America’s naval blockade against Iran. It said that since restarting the blockade in mid-July, a total of 147 commercial vessels have been redirected. It said the current effort has disabled five vessels, after earlier destroying 10 commercial tankers supporting the Iranian oil trade.
The strike comes after weeks of increased activity by Iran. UKMTO said it had six confirmed attacks in the region in the first days of November and an additional five in the last days of October, while Iran issues daily reports claiming that multiple vessels struck mines in the Strait of Hormuz. It tallies confirmed reports that indicate 133 vessels have been damaged in the region year to date and that there have been 82 injuries or fatalities.
