US Forces Disable Bulker Huda Following Iranian Port Visit
US CENTCOM forces used precision munitions to disable the bulker Huda after it ignored warnings while breaching the naval blockade of Iran.
U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) has resumed kinetic enforcement of its naval blockade against Iran, disabling a Turkish-managed bulk carrier in the Gulf of Oman on Saturday. The strike on the M/V Huda marks the first time in nearly a month that U.S. forces have used munitions to halt a commercial vessel attempting to breach the blockade.
The 24,993 dwt Huda was targeted by precision munitions fired from a U.S. military aircraft after the crew reportedly ignored repeated warnings to stop. According to CENTCOM, the vessel was attempting to depart regional waters after visiting an Iranian port. The strike was specifically directed at the ship’s stern to disable its propulsion, following a directive for the crew to abandon targeted spaces.
This escalation highlights a significant shift in the risk profile for regional operators. While the U.S. has redirected 147 vessels since mid-July, the decision to disable the Huda—a vessel not currently listed under formal sanctions—demonstrates that blockade enforcement is now dictated by vessel movement rather than just the legal status of the hull. For managers and insurers, the risk of Iranian port calls has moved beyond regulatory compliance into the realm of active hull and machinery loss from military intervention.
The St. Kitts and Nevis-flagged Huda, built in 1999, is the fifth vessel to be disabled since the blockade was reinstated in July. The incident follows a similar strike on October 10 involving the bulker Ocean Molica. In addition to these disabled vessels, U.S. forces have destroyed 10 commercial tankers supporting the Iranian oil trade during the current enforcement period.
The strike occurs amid a volatile maritime environment in the Middle East. UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) confirmed 11 attacks in the region over the last two weeks, while Iran has issued daily claims of vessels striking mines in the Strait of Hormuz. UKMTO data indicates that 133 vessels have been damaged in the region year-to-date, resulting in 82 injuries or fatalities.
The Huda was last reported approximately 18 nautical miles east of Khor Fakkan, UAE. While the U.S. confirmed the vessel was disabled, the current status of the civilian crew remains unknown.
Source: The Maritime Executive