A Panamanian-Flagged Ship Attempting to Break the Blockade in Iran was Fired Upon by the US Military
This is the third time the United States (US) has forcibly detained a ship since it reinstated the blockade of Iranian ports on July 14.
The United States military said Tuesday it opened fire on a Panamanian-flagged vessel that was trying to approach an Iranian port blockaded by US forces. A helicopter launched two missiles at the engine room of the cargo ship, the Vela Nova, after its crew “ignored” US warnings, the military command for the Middle East, Centcom, said in a statement published in X. This is the third time the United States has forcibly detained a ship since it reinstated the blockade of Iranian ports on July 14. Centcom reported that as of Tuesday, 55 ships that attempted to break through the blockade had been diverted and two others boarded. US forces had already blockaded Iranian ports between April 13 and June 18. During that period, they disabled nine ships and diverted 140 more, according to Centcom. Iran has demanded that the United States end the port blockade as part of its conditions for reopening the Strait of Hormuz. This shipping lane is crucial for global oil and gas transport. Traffic plummeted due to Tehran’s attacks on ships in the area.
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 missiles into the Vela Nova’s engine room after the ship’s civilian crew ignored repeated warnings from American forces. The ship is no longer transiting to Iran in violation of the U.S. blockade, which remains in full effect. As of Aug. 11, CENTCOM has redirected 55 commercial vessels attempting to run the blockade, disabled 3 non-compliant vessels, and boarded 2. U.S. forces operating in the Middle East are highly vigilant, lethal, and ready.
