In brief
The US Central Command confirmed that an MH‑60 helicopter fired two Hellfire missiles into the engine room of the Panama‑flagged M/V Vela Nova as it attempted to traverse the Gulf of Oman. The strike effectively disabled the ship’s steering gear, preventing it from reaching an Iranian port. Centcom said the navy had already diverted 55 commercial vessels, disabled three other non‑compliant ships, and boarded two others since the blockade began in April. Iran has yet to respond, while the US maintains that the blockade remains in full effect.
The U.S. Central Command confirmed that an MH‑60 helicopter fired two Hellfire missiles into the engine room of the Panama‑flagged cargo ship M/V Vela Nova.
The attack was aimed at disabling the ship’s steering gear as it attempted to transit the Gulf of Oman toward an Iranian port, a move that violated the U.S.‑led blockade imposed in April.
Centcom stated that the crew had ignored repeated warnings from American forces and that the vessel is no longer attempting to reach Iran.
Since the blockade began, the U.S. military has redirected 55 commercial vessels, disabled 3 non‑compliant ships, and boarded 2 others.
Iran has not yet commented on the incident, while the U.S. maintains that the blockade remains in full effect.
