Local time Aug. 11, U.S. Central Command said forces in the Gulf of Oman fired on the Panama-flagged merchant vessel Vela Nova as it headed for an Iranian port and attempted to breach a U.S. blockade. Central Command said the ship’s crew repeatedly ignored warnings, after which a U.S. Navy MH-60 helicopter fired two Hellfire missiles at the vessel’s engine room. The ship lost steering capability and stopped proceeding toward Iran. As of Aug. 11, Central Command said U.S. forces had forced 55 ves

Local time Aug. 11, U.S. Central Command said forces in the Gulf of Oman fired on the Panama-flagged merchant vessel Vela Nova as it headed for an Iranian port and attempted to breach a U.S. blockade. Central Command said the ship’s crew repeatedly ignored warnings, after which a U.S. Navy MH-60 helicopter fired two Hellfire missiles at the vessel’s engine room. The ship lost steering capability and stopped proceeding toward Iran. As of Aug. 11, Central Command said U.S. forces had forced 55 vessels attempting to breach the blockade to divert, rendered three noncompliant ships inoperable, and boarded and inspected two vessels. The blockade remains fully in effect.