Archive · 12 Aug 2026
US forces disable Panama-flagged ship breaching Iran blockade
Some ships are not allowed to sail to Iran because the United States has a rule called a blockade.
A big cargo ship named the Vela Nova tried to sail toward an Iranian port anyway.
The US military told the ship's crew to stop, but they did not listen.
A Navy helicopter fired two missiles at the ship's engine room.
The missiles started a fire, but the fire was put out.
After that, the ship could not keep sailing to Iran.
The US military says it has also stopped more than fifty other ships that tried to reach Iran.
Iran says the trouble in the waterway was caused by US and Israeli military actions, and it is talking with Oman about new shipping routes.
Around the same time, a new leader took charge of the US-led military group that works to stop ISIS.
US CENTCOM forces disabled the steering gear of the Panama-flagged cargo vessel M/V Vela Nova as it attempted to transit the Gulf of Oman toward an Iranian port in violation of the US blockade against Iran.
A US 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 missile strike caused a fire on the vessel that was subsequently extinguished, according to maritime security firm Vanguard; CENTCOM said the ship is no longer transiting to Iran and the blockade remains in full effect.
As of Aug. 11, CENTCOM has redirected 55 commercial vessels attempting to run the blockade, disabled three non-compliant vessels, and boarded two.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said fees should be charged for maritime services in the Strait of Hormuz and attributed the strait's closure to US and Israeli 'military aggression' against Iran.
- Who
- US CENTCOM and Navy forces, acting against the civilian crew of the Panama-flagged vessel M/V Vela Nova; Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei also spoke about related Strait of Hormuz issues.
- What
- CENTCOM disabled the Vela Nova's steering gear and a US Navy MH-60 helicopter fired two Hellfire missiles into its engine room after the crew ignored repeated warnings, stopping the vessel from sailing to an Iranian port in breach of the US blockade against Iran.
- When
- Reported around Aug. 11; CENTCOM's enforcement figures and the CJTF-OIR change of command also relate to Aug. 11.
- Where
- The Gulf of Oman, as the vessel attempted to transit toward an Iranian port; related remarks concerned the Strait of Hormuz.
- Why
- Because the vessel allegedly attempted to violate the US blockade against Iran and its civilian crew ignored repeated warnings from American forces.
Iran's perspective
US military / CENTCOM view
Strait of Hormuz closure
Iran's perspective
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei attributes the closure of the Strait of Hormuz to US and Israeli 'military aggression' against Iran, saying its reopening hinges on eliminating the conditions imposed on Iran.
US military / CENTCOM view
CENTCOM says US forces are enforcing a blockade against Iran that 'remains in full effect,' redirecting or disabling vessels that attempt to reach Iranian ports.
Maritime services and navigation routes
Iran's perspective
Iran argues it should be reimbursed for maritime services it provides in the strait and is negotiating a new intermediate route with Oman to replace the existing northern and southern routes.
US military / CENTCOM view
US forces are actively enforcing the blockade, having redirected 55 vessels, disabled three non-compliant vessels, and boarded two; CENTCOM said its forces in the Middle East are 'highly vigilant, lethal, and ready.'
- Vessel
- M/V Vela Nova (Panama-flagged)
- Incident
- Steering gear disabled; two Hellfire missiles fired into engine room by a US Navy MH-60 helicopter; fire subsequently extinguished
- Location
- Gulf of Oman
- Reported date
- Around Aug. 11, with blockade enforcement figures as of Aug. 11
- Blockade enforcement toll
- 55 vessels redirected, 3 disabled, 2 boarded
- Blockade status
- US blockade against Iran remains in full effect
- Strait of Hormuz
- Iran and Oman negotiating to replace northern and southern routes with an intermediate route; Iran says maritime services in the strait should be paid for
- Related event
- CJTF-OIR change of command in the Middle East on Aug. 11: Maj. Gen. Kevin Lambert handed leadership to Rear Adm. Liam Hulin; Adm. Brad Cooper presided
