US military turns back 135 ships in Iran naval blockade escalation

The US military has intensified its naval blockade of Iranian ports, reporting that 135 ships were turned around and 10 tankers linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) were destroyed between mid-July and Sunday, 11 October. US Central Command (CentCom) confirmed the latest enforcement action involved a precision strike on the M/V Ocean Molica, also known as the Arika Sun. A US fighter jet struck the stern of the Panama-flagged vessel in the Gulf of Oman, disabling its propulsion system. CentCom stated the crew was unharmed and that the strike followed repeated ignored warnings after the vessel attempted to run the blockade following a departure from an Iranian port. Blockade enforcement statistics Since the blockade was reimposed on 14 July 2026, CentCom reports that US forces have disabled four commercial vessels attempting to breach the restricted zone. The operation specifically targets Iran’s oil export capabilities by intercepting what Washington describes as a \"shadow network\" operated by the IRGC. CentCom claims the naval line has successfully prevented all Iranian oil exports, though independent verification of total export cessation remains limited. The escalation in military enforcement follows a sharp increase in maritime security incidents. At least 12 ships were attacked in and around the Strait of Hormuz in the week ending 5 October, marking the highest weekly frequency since the start of the conflict. Recent reports from United Kingdom…