U.S. forces struck and disabled a commercial cargo vessel "attempting to violate" U.S. naval blockade in the Gulf of Oman on Saturday, the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said on social media.
A U.S. military fighter jet struck the stern of the Panama-flagged M/V Ocean Molica with a precision munition, disabling the vessel's propulsion system without harming its crew, CENTCOM said in a statement.
According to CENTCOM, the vessel had departed an Iranian port and was attempting to transit regional waters. The command said the ship's crew had ignored repeated warnings and attempted to breach the U.S. naval blockade against Iran.
CENTCOM said U.S. forces resumed the blockade against all ships entering or departing Iranian ports on July 14, disabling four commercial vessels and redirecting 135 ships during three months of strict enforcement.
U.S. forces also destroyed 10 tankers linked to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corp (IRGC) over the same period, said CENTCOM.
U.S. forces disable cargo vessel in Gulf of Oman
Chinese State Councilor Shen Yiqin urged China's para-athletes to aim for excellence at the upcoming Aichi-Nagoya Asian Para Games during a rally in Beijing on Saturday.
Shen, also head of the State Council Working Committee on Disability, visited the China Administration of Sports for Persons with Disabilities to meet with the Chinese delegation. She offered encouragement and motivation to the athletes, urging them to spare no effort in preparations and competition, and to bring greater honor to the motherland and the people.
Shen stressed the importance of using the Asian Para Games as practical experience to strengthen and prepare China's team for the 2028 Paralympic Games in Los Angeles. She called on the team to maintain high standards of sportsmanship and discipline, aiming for both athletic achievement and moral excellence.
Shen also emphasized the need to enhance friendly exchanges and better tell China's story and the story of Chinese persons with disabilities. She called for efforts to prevent and defuse various risks, ensuring the delegation's safety and success throughout the competition.
China announced on Saturday a 500-member delegation, including 312 athletes, to compete in 335 events across 17 sports at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Para Games, marking the country's largest athlete contingent for an overseas edition of the Games.
The athletes have an average age of 28.8, ranging from 16 to 50 years old. The delegation includes 146 male and 166 female athletes, all of whom are amateurs and include workers, students and freelancers.
The Aichi-Nagoya Asian Para Games will be held from Oct 18 to 24, featuring more than 500 events across 18 sports, including para swimming, wheelchair basketball and sitting volleyball, with more than 3,000 athletes from 45 countries and regions expected to take part.
It will be China's fifth appearance at the Asian Para Games.
Chinese state councilor meets Chinese Asian Para Games team
