US forces fired missiles at the container ship Vela Nova after it attempted to violate a naval blockade, leaving the vessel unable to steer.
Key facts
- •The US Navy used an MH-60 helicopter to fire two Hellfire missiles at the Vela Nova.
- •The vessel was sailing toward an Iranian port when it was intercepted.
- •All 17 crew members were reported safe following the incident.
- •The ship was located 71 nautical miles off the coast of Pakistan.
- •CENTCOM has redirected 55 commercial vessels since the blockade began on July 14.
US Central Command confirmed that a Navy MH-60 helicopter struck the Panama-flagged container ship Vela Nova in the Gulf of Oman on Tuesday. The helicopter fired two Hellfire missiles into the vessel's engine room after the crew ignored repeated warnings, disabling the ship's steering gear. The incident occurred while the vessel was sailing westbound toward an Iranian port in violation of a US-imposed naval blockade.
By the numbers
Incident details and vessel status
The strike took place approximately 71 nautical miles off the coast of Pakistan. While a senior US official stated the shot was aimed at the rudder, the maritime security firm Vanguard reported that the impact caused a fire in the engine room, which was later extinguished. All 17 crew members are reported safe and were transferred to another vessel.
Blockade enforcement context
The Vela Nova is the third vessel disabled by the US since the blockade was reimposed on July 14. According to CENTCOM figures, the military has redirected 55 commercial vessels, boarded two, and disabled three, including the Curaçao-flagged Belma and the Mozambique-flagged Lavine, which were struck on July 24. Shipping records identify Golden Valley Marine INV as the registered owner of the Vela Nova.
Timeline
- JuneA memorandum of understanding between the US and Iran was signed, and three Indian sailors died during a blockade operation.
- July 14The United States reimposed a naval blockade.
- July 24The vessels Belma and Lavine were disabled by US forces.
- TuesdayUS forces struck the Vela Nova in the Gulf of Oman.
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This article was independently rewritten by ManyPress editorial AI from reporting originally published by MercoPress.
