The U.S. military has disabled a cargo ship that it says tried to break its naval blockade of Iran.

A U.S. fighter jet struck the back of the Panama-flagged ship M/V Ocean Molica, also known as the Arika Sun, with a precision weapon on Saturday in the Gulf of Oman, Al Jazeera reported. U.S. Central Command, known as CENTCOM, said the strike "fully disabled the ship's propulsion without harming the crew."

CENTCOM said the crew "ignored repeated warnings and attempted to run the ongoing naval blockade against Iran." The ship had earlier left an Iranian port, CENTCOM said.

The command announced the action on X on Sunday, Pakistan's Express Tribune reported.

CENTCOM said U.S. forces resumed their blockade of all ships "entering or departing Iranian ports" on July 14, according to Al Jazeera.

The blockade is part of the wider U.S.-Israeli war with Iran, which began this year. Iran has largely shut the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for the world's oil, and has attacked tankers there. The fighting has sent fuel prices to record highs around the world.

Disabling ships at sea is a serious step. It risks clashes with Iran and anger from countries whose ships are stopped. Shipping companies have warned crews to stay away from the area.

In recent months, other cargo ships have reported being hit by unknown projectiles near Oman, NBC New York reported in August.

Iran has condemned the U.S. blockade since it began. The crew of the Ocean Molica was not hurt, and CENTCOM did not say what would happen to the ship or its cargo.

What we know: CENTCOM says a U.S. jet disabled the Ocean Molica after warnings were ignored.
What we don't: what will happen to the ship or its cargo.