CENTCOM Disables Cargo Ship in Gulf of Oman Over Iran Blockade
CENTCOM disabled the St. Kitts-flagged M/V Huda in the Gulf of Oman and launched Task Force Iron Gate to disrupt Iran’s land and Caspian Sea transit routes.
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) - US Central Command (CENTCOM) forces disabled a commercial vessel in the Gulf of Oman on Saturday after the ship’s civilian crew ignored repeated warnings and attempted several times to violate the naval blockade against Iran, the command announced.
CENTCOM detailed the operation in a statement on its official account on X. A US military aircraft fired precision munitions at the stern of the St. Kitts-flagged M/V Huda, disabling the ship after CENTCOM forces directed the crew to abandon the targeted spaces.
The cargo vessel had tried to depart regional waters after visiting an Iranian port, according to the statement.
In a separate announcement, also published on X, CENTCOM said its commander has launched a new task force to stop Iran from using land routes to move weapons and other materials.
Adm. Brad Cooper directed the formation of Task Force Iron Gate on Nov. 7. It is an internal staff of approximately 20 civilian and military personnel based in Tampa, Florida.
The team will coordinate with other US government agencies to prevent the movement of advanced weapons systems, dual-use technologies, sanctioned materials, and illegal revenue streams across Iran’s land borders and the Caspian Sea.
“The establishment of Task Force Iron Gate reinforces the success of our ironclad blockade against Iran at sea,” Cooper said. “Strengthening CENTCOM’s collaboration with U.S. interagency partners will further constrain Iran’s ability to finance terrorism, rebuild weapons factories, and replenish their military.”
CENTCOM said America’s naval blockade has, in recent months, prevented Iran from exporting more than $25 billion in crude oil.
The command stressed that strict enforcement at sea continues against all ships entering or departing Iranian ports.