US military fires missiles to stop M/V Vela Nova in Gulf of Oman

The US military confirmed that one of its helicopters fired missiles at a cargo ship in the Gulf of Oman on Tuesday, aiming to disable its steering gear. The Panama-flagged M/V Vela Nova was attempting to breach the US blockade of Iranian ports when the incident occurred. US Central Command (Centcom) reported that the helicopter's crew fired two Hellfire missiles into the ship's engine room after its civilian crew ignored multiple warnings from American forces.

This escalation comes amid ongoing tensions in the region, following the outbreak of war between the US and Israel against Iran on February 28. The US has maintained a strict blockade on Iranian ports as a response to Iran's military actions, which have included attacks on Israel and US allies across the Gulf. Iran has also closed the Strait of Hormuz, a critical maritime route for global oil and liquefied natural gas shipments, contributing to volatile oil prices worldwide.

Centcom stated that the M/V Vela Nova is no longer heading toward Iran, reinforcing that the blockade is "in full effect." Since August 11, the US has redirected 55 vessels attempting to breach the blockade, disabled three ships, and boarded two others. The blockade aims to limit Iran's military capabilities and influence in the region, particularly after the collapse of a ceasefire agreement in June.

In a related incident, Yemen's internationally recognized government reported that six people were killed and ten injured after strikes by Iran-backed Houthis targeted a cargo ship in the Red Sea. The Houthis claimed to have struck a vessel carrying Saudi military equipment, marking the first deadly attack on a ship by the group since the conflict began. The situation highlights the escalating maritime tensions in the region, with ongoing military actions by both sides complicating any potential diplomatic resolutions.