US military disables cargo ship in Gulf of Oman during Iran blockade
The US military says it disabled the cargo vessel M/V Huda in the Gulf of Oman after it tried to breach a US blockade of Iran. CENTCOM also announced a new task force to restrict Iran's land and Caspian Sea routes.
- CENTCOM says it disabled the St Kitts-flagged M/V Huda in the Gulf of Oman.
- The ship had left an Iranian port, according to the US military.
- CENTCOM formed Task Force Iron Gate to curb Iran's land and Caspian Sea routes.
The US military said it disabled a commercial cargo vessel in the Gulf of Oman that it said had tried to breach a US naval blockade of Iran. Arab News and Gulf News reported the incident on 7 and 8 November.
According to US Central Command (CENTCOM), the ship was the St Kitts-flagged M/V Huda. CENTCOM said its civilian crew ignored repeated warnings and tried to leave regional waters after visiting an Iranian port.
The US military released video of the strike. Gulf News reported that it shows a US military aircraft firing precision munitions at the vessel's stern. CENTCOM said the crew had been told to abandon the targeted areas before the strike.
Separately, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said a bulk carrier and military forces were involved in the latest incident in the Gulf of Oman. Arab News reported that the condition of the crew and any environmental impact had not been confirmed, and that investigations were under way.
CENTCOM commander Adm. Brad Cooper directed the formation of Task Force Iron Gate on 7 November. It has about 20 civilian and military personnel and is based in Tampa, Florida.
CENTCOM said the task force will work with US government agencies to stop Iran using land routes and the Caspian Sea to move advanced weapons, dual-use technologies, sanctioned materials and illegal revenue.
Cooper said the initiative would reinforce the naval blockade and further limit Iran's ability to finance terrorism, rebuild weapons factories and replenish its military.
CENTCOM said the blockade has stopped Iran from exporting more than $25 billion worth of crude oil in recent months, and that strict enforcement continues against all ships entering or leaving Iranian ports.
Background
khabr.pk reported on 7 November that US President Donald Trump confirmed new limited strikes on an Iranian air defence system, while Iran was reviewing proposals from mediator Qatar on its nuclear programme. On 6 November, khabr.pk reported that a seafarer died after a suspected missile hit the tanker MT Velos Sapphire in the Gulf.
Why it matters for Pakistan
Pakistan imports fuel and relies on Gulf shipping lanes, so tension in the region can affect oil prices and shipping costs. khabr.pk's records show petrol at Rs346 per litre and high-speed diesel at Rs378 per litre on 7 November. Higher fuel and freight costs would reach households and businesses through transport and import prices.
