The US military said on Tuesday that it struck a Panama-flagged cargo vessel in the Gulf of Oman after its crew allegedly “ignored repeated warnings” and attempted to breach the American blockade of Iranian
ports.
A US Navy MH-60 helicopter fired missiles into the engine room of the M/V Vela Nova, disabling the ship, US Central Command (CENTCOM) said. The vessel “is no longer transiting to Iran in violation of the US blockade, which remains in full effect”, CENTCOM said in a post on X.
The military did not report any casualties in the strike.
Third Vessel Intercepted Since July
The incident marks the third time US forces have forcibly halted a vessel since the blockade of Iranian ports was reinstated on July 14.
CENTCOM said it had redirected 55 ships attempting to breach the blockade and boarded two others as of Tuesday. The US had previously imposed a blockade from April 13 to June 18, during which it said nine ships were disabled and more than 140 were redirected.
Earlier today, CENTCOM forces disabled the steering gear of Panama-flagged M/V Vela Nova as the cargo vessel attempted to transit the Gulf of Oman and violate the U.S. blockade against Iran by sailing toward an Iranian port.
A U.S. Navy MH-60 helicopter fired two hellfire… pic.twitter.com/hqY1g2Ng8q
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) August 11, 2026
Iran has demanded an end to the blockade as part of its conditions for reopening the Strait of Hormuz, a major route for global oil and gas shipments.
Deadly Red Sea Attack
The US strike came on the same day as a deadly attack on a commercial vessel near the Bab al-Mandeb Strait. Yemen’s internationally recognised government said six people were killed when the Egyptian-owned Tihamah was struck in suspected Houthi attacks.
Four crew members were killed in the initial strike, while two members of the rescue forces died during an operation to evacuate the vessel. Ten others were injured, according to Yemen’s coastguard.
The Houthis have not officially claimed responsibility, although a Houthi-run media outlet later said the group had targeted a ship carrying Saudi military equipment, without providing further details.
The attack is the latest in a series of incidents threatening shipping around the entrance to the Red Sea since the Houthis announced a maritime blockade of Saudi Arabia last month.
(With inputs from agencies)
