US Destroys Iranian-Affiliated Dhow in Gulf of Oman, CENTCOM Says

US destroys Iranian dhow accused of targeting American warships, the US Central Command confirmed on Wednesday, disclosing that American forces sank an Iranian-affiliated vessel in the Gulf of Oman on October 6 after its crew was safely removed.

FAKTA

• What happened: US forces destroyed an Iranian-affiliated dhow in the Gulf of Oman on October 6.
• Why: CENTCOM says the vessel was conducting surveillance and helping to target US Navy ships.
• Crew: All crew members were safely removed before the vessel was destroyed; repatriation efforts are ongoing.
• Not disclosed: The dhow’s identity, how it was destroyed, or details of the alleged surveillance activities.
• Context: The strike is part of a seven-month US-Iran maritime confrontation around the Strait of Hormuz.

US Destroys Iranian Dhow After Surveillance Alert

“On Oct. 6, U.S. forces destroyed an Iranian-affiliated dhow conducting surveillance and targeting U.S. Navy ships in the Gulf of Oman,” CENTCOM said in its statement, released on Wednesday — more than a week after the operation took place.

The military did not identify the dhow, disclose how it was destroyed, or provide details about the alleged surveillance activities. According to CENTCOM, the dhow’s crew was safely removed before the vessel was destroyed, and efforts to repatriate the crew members are continuing.

IRGC Accused of Targeting Civilian Mariners

In its statement, CENTCOM accused Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps of continuing to indiscriminately target civilian mariners and US Navy warships throughout the seven-month conflict.

The announcement comes amid reports that the IRGC has increasingly turned to small boats to identify potential targets following damage to its coastal surveillance infrastructure.

Tehran Turns to Small-Boat Spotters

According to Reuters reporting on Wednesday, citing Iranian officials and maritime sources, Tehran has been adjusting its tactics as it seeks to increase pressure on shipping in and around the Strait of Hormuz — including the use of unarmed spotters aboard small boats to identify vessels.

The reporting describes a shift toward harder-to-detect surveillance methods as Iran steps up efforts to restrict shipping through the strategic waterway.

Blockade Campaign Continues

The disclosure follows a separate US military strike on October 10 against the Panama-flagged cargo vessel Ocean Molica, also known as Arika Sun, in the Gulf of Oman. CENTCOM said a US fighter jet disabled the vessel’s propulsion after its crew ignored repeated warnings while attempting to violate the American naval blockade against Iran.

The October 10 operation brought the number of commercial vessels disabled during the renewed blockade to four, according to CENTCOM. The command also reported that 135 ships had been turned around and 10 tankers linked to the IRGC had been destroyed since enforcement resumed on July 14.

Attacks on merchant shipping have accelerated across the region. The Singapore-flagged containership GFS Pride and the Antigua and Barbuda-flagged bulk carrier Cape Dao were confirmed sunk near the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday following separate projectile attacks.

The destruction of the dhow adds to a growing series of US military actions against vessels in the Gulf of Oman, where American forces are enforcing the blockade while Iranian attacks continue to threaten commercial shipping through the nearby Strait of Hormuz. Read more of Watan News’ Middle East coverage.