American forces have confirmed a military operation against a cargo ship in Oman Bay, in a development that increases tensions between the United States and Iran.
According to the German magazine Der Spiegel, which quotes the U.S. Army Central Command (CENTCOM), an American fighter plane has hit the back of the MV Ocean Molica ship, damaging its driving system and leaving it unable to move.
US authorities claimed that the crew has suffered no injuries during the attack.
The ship, registered under Panama's flag, was launched by an Iranian port and, according to the U.S. Army version, had attempted to break the naval blockade imposed against Iran.
CENTCOM claims that the crew had ignored some warnings before military intervention. The US Army has also published images of the operation.
The American blockade aims to limit the movement of ships directly and from Iranian ports, putting economic pressure on Tehran and preventing revenues from oil exports.
Meanwhile, Iran continues to limit navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic corridor for international energy transport.
According to Der Spiegel, referring to British maritime security authority U KMTO, another tank was attacked in the Strait of Hormuz. The incident has caused fire on the ship, but the crew reportedly is in security.
Recent developments increase concerns about maritime transport security in the Middle East. Oman Bay and Hormuz Strait are important routes to global oil and gas supply, so any prolonged disruptions can affect transport costs, shipping and international energy prices.
The American attack shows that the clash with Iran is also directly affecting commercial ships, increasing the risk of other incidents in a region where military and economic interests are closely combined.
There is still no confirmed response from Iranian authorities over the MV Ocean Molica ship's impact.
