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 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

Built in 1999, the Huda is a 159-meter (521-foot) bulker under Turkish management. It does not appear to be under sanctions.

This story was originally published by The Maritime Executive. Read the full story at The Maritime Executive →