U.S. Disables St. Kitts-Flagged Cargo Ship in the Gulf of Oman

U.S. military forces fired on and disabled a St. Kitts and Nevis-flagged cargo ship in the Gulf of Oman on Saturday, November 7, after the crew attempted to break the U.S. naval blockade on Iran. U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) reported that a military aircraft fired precision munitions at the stern of the vessel, identified as the M/V Huda, after ordering the crew to clear the areas that would be struck.

The Huda is a 24,993 DWT bulk carrier built in 1999, with a length overall of 159 meters, under Turkish management, according to Maritime Executive. UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) placed the vessel about 18 nautical miles east of Khor Fakkan, in the United Arab Emirates, and noted that the crew's condition is unknown. The vessel had called at an Iranian port before attempting to leave regional waters.

CENTCOM stated that the civilian crew ignored repeated warnings and made multiple attempts to violate the blockade on Iran, which has been in effect since the command reinstated it on July 14. According to the command, 147 merchant vessels have since been redirected after complying with orders, while five vessels that refused were disabled, following the earlier destruction of ten Iranian tankers. This was the first vessel disabled in a month, as the previous strike had occurred on October 10 against the bulk carrier Ocean Molica in the same waters.

That same Saturday, Admiral Brad Cooper, head of CENTCOM, ordered the creation of a new Tampa-based unit called Task Force Iron Gate, aimed at stopping the movement of advanced weaponry, dual-use technologies, and sanctioned goods to Iran by land and across the Caspian Sea.

CENTCOM estimated that the naval blockade has prevented Iran from exporting more than $25 billion in crude oil, at a time when President Donald Trump is threatening a new offensive against Iran and Tehran is warning of broad retaliation against Gulf infrastructure. UKMTO reported six confirmed attacks in the region in the first days of November and five more in late October, while Iran reports mine strikes in the Strait of Hormuz on a daily basis; so far this year, 133 vessels have been damaged and 82 people injured or killed.