The US military said on Saturday that its forces had disabled a commercial vessel in the Gulf of Oman after the civilian crew ignored repeated warnings and attempted to violate the naval blockade imposed on Iran. Central Command (CENTCOM) said a US aircraft fired precision munitions at the stern of the St. Kitts-flagged M/V Huda, forcing the crew to abandon the targeted areas. The ship had visited an Iranian port and then tried to leave regional waters.
In a statement, CENTCOM said it continues to strictly enforce the blockade, noting that since July, US forces have redirected 147 commercial vessels that complied, while disabling five merchant ships that refused. The command also said it had previously destroyed ten Iranian commercial oil tankers linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps' multibillion-dollar shadow network.
Incident near UAE coast
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) agency reported late on Saturday that it had received a report of an incident involving a bulk carrier and military forces in the Gulf of Oman, about 18 nautical miles east of Khor Fakkan on the east coast of the United Arab Emirates. The UAE National Guard announced early on Sunday that 22 people had been rescued from a cargo ship in the gulf.
Meanwhile, Iran's Revolutionary Guards navy claimed that two oil tankers, one east of the Strait of Hormuz and another inside the strategic waterway, had caught fire after hitting mines. The Guards said the tankers had been using an unauthorised route, having switched off their navigation and positioning systems. They warned that any ship cooperating with the US military and entering the unauthorised area would inevitably hit a mine.
The Guards also dismissed CENTCOM's commander as engaging in fantasy, escalating the war of words between Tehran and Washington. Tensions over the Strait of Hormuz have flared again following the US midterm elections. On Friday night, reports emerged of explosions on Qeshm Island, and the Tasnim news agency said two missiles had struck the area. Hours later, US President Donald Trump confirmed that US forces had targeted an Iranian air defence system.
The Strait of Hormuz is a critical chokepoint for global oil shipments, and any disruption there has immediate consequences for European energy markets and shipping companies. The latest incidents come as European diplomats have been trying to revive nuclear talks with Iran, with Qatar acting as a mediator. The US strikes on Iranian air defences have complicated those efforts, as reported earlier.
European shipping firms, many of which operate in the Gulf region, are closely monitoring the situation. The UKMTO, which is part of the UK's Royal Navy, has issued advisories to mariners, urging caution when transiting the area. The Greek-owned tanker fleet, a major player in global shipping, is particularly exposed to any escalation in the region.
The US blockade of Iran has been a source of tension with European allies, who have sought to preserve the 2015 nuclear deal and maintain trade ties with Tehran. The European Union has repeatedly called for restraint and for the freedom of navigation in the Gulf. The latest incidents are likely to heighten concerns in Brussels and other European capitals about the risk of a broader conflict.
Iran's Revolutionary Guards have a history of harassing commercial vessels in the Gulf, and the use of mines is a tactic that could have severe consequences for civilian shipping. The international community, including European nations, has condemned such actions in the past. The UN Security Council is expected to discuss the situation in the coming days.
For now, the immediate focus is on the safety of the crews involved and the potential environmental impact of any oil spills from the damaged tankers. The UAE and other Gulf states have offered assistance, but the situation remains fluid. European maritime authorities are advising ships to stay clear of the affected areas and to follow the instructions of naval forces in the region.
