United States Central Command (CENTCOM) announced on Tuesday, August 11, that U.S. forces intercepted a Panamanian-flagged cargo vessel navigating toward an Iranian port in the Gulf of Oman, disabling its propulsion systems.
In an official statement, CENTCOM reported that the vessel Vela Nova attempted to breach the U.S. naval blockade targeting Iran. According to the release, after the civilian crew repeatedly disregarded warnings to alter course, a U.S. Navy helicopter fired two AGM-114 Hellfire missiles into the ship’s engine room.
CENTCOM stated that the strikes disabled the vessel’s propulsion capabilities, ensuring that the Vela Nova could no longer move toward Iran, and reiterated that the U.S. naval blockade remains “fully enforced.”
According to figures released by CENTCOM, U.S. forces have diverted 55 commercial vessels attempting to breach the blockade as of August 11. Additionally, three non-compliant vessels have been disabled, and two others have been boarded and inspected by U.S. personnel.
