NewsWorld newsIran CrisisUS military opens fire on Strait of Hormuz ship as mediators fight to get America and Iran back to the negotiating table to try an end the crisis - as Trump falsely claims 'total control'15:57, 12 Aug 2026A US attack helicopter has opened fire on a Panama-flagged cargo ship trying to break through America’s Strait of Hormuz naval blockade in a bid to reach an Iranian port. Two missiles were fired at the ship’s steering gear after it ignored warnings even as Pakistan fought to bring the US and Iran back to the negotiating table.‌It is believed the MH-60 helicopter launched Hellfire weapons in the maritime intervention just four days before the fragile war’s Memorandum of Understanding ends on Sunday. An official linked to Iran’s elite Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps warned his coutnry could extend the war beyond President Donald Trump’s presidency. The M/V Vela Nova vessel was trying to transit the Gulf of Oman when it was intercepted and US Central Command said it acted after "the ship's civilian crew ignored repeated warnings from American forces.”‌‌The US has been enforcing a blockade of Iranian ports, following failed attempts to end the war it and Israel started on 28 February. It says the US blockade "remains in full effect", adding that as of 11 August Centcom has redirected 55 vessels, disabled three and boarded two.Pakistani Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has visited Tehran for discussions with Iranian officials to try and halt the US-Israel war and unblock the Strait of Hormuz. Despite US President Donald Trump claiming America controls the Strait Mohsen Rezaie, newly appointed head of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council said: "As long as America does not change its behaviour and does not accept Iran’s conditions, the Strait of Hormuz will not be opened.”Article continues belowIt followed Trump’s declaration: “We totally ⁠control the Strait of Hormuz ... Nobody else, only us.” And this was followed by his latest threat as he added: “At some point, maybe they'll do something and then they get blown away." Mohammad Reza Naqdi, a top adviser to the IRGC, said: "We have to attain deterrence so that the enemy never dares to attack us, so we can live with security. One way is to prolong this war until we get to the next term of the presidency and cause attrition, so that if anyone else wants to attack Iran, they will know there is a cost.”According to the organisation Portwatch, which monitors shipping movement using satellite data just 97 ships have passed through the Strait since the US imposed its blockade. The figure represents an average of just four ships per day as opposed to the 100 plus number of ships which transited the Strait before the war.Choose Daily Mirror as a 'Preferred Source' on Google News for quick access to the news you value.‌Donald TrumpIranIran Crisis