U.S. helicopter disables Panama-flagged ship attempting to break Iran port blockade

The United States military said on Tuesday that a Navy helicopter fired missiles into the engine room of a Panama-flagged cargo ship after the vessel attempted to break the American blockade of Iran's ports. The ship, identified as the M/V Vela Nova, was disabled in the operation.

U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said the MH-60 helicopter took action after the ship's civilian crew ignored repeated warnings from American forces. In a statement on the social media platform X, CENTCOM said the vessel "is no longer transiting to Iran in violation of the U.S. blockade."

Tuesday's action was the third time the United States has forcibly halted a vessel since it reinstated the blockade on July 14. CENTCOM said that as of Tuesday, it had redirected 55 ships that attempted to run the blockade and had boarded two others. The Vela Nova is the third ship to be disabled in this manner.

The blockade is part of a months-long war that the United States has been waging against Iran. Washington has not provided specific details about the war's objectives, but the blockade is aimed at preventing vessels from reaching Iranian ports. The reinstatement of the blockade in July came after a period during which it was not in force, though the reasons for the change have not been made public.

The M/V Vela Nova, a cargo ship flying the Panamanian flag, is the latest vessel to challenge the blockade. According to CENTCOM, the ship's civilian crew was given multiple warnings before the helicopter fired. The missiles struck the engine room, rendering the ship unable to continue its journey. The U.S. military did not report any casualties.

This latest incident underscores the aggressive enforcement of the blockade by American forces in the region. The U.S. military has been actively monitoring and intercepting vessels that attempt to reach Iran. Over the past weeks, dozens of ships have been redirected, and some have been boarded for inspections. The blockade has become a central feature of the ongoing conflict, affecting international shipping in the region.

Panama is the world's largest registry for cargo ships, and the Vela Nova is one of many vessels operating under its flag. The incident is likely to draw international attention, as the use of force against civilian shipping is a matter of significant concern. The status of the crew and the condition of the ship are not yet known beyond the U.S. military's account. CENTCOM did not specify how many people were on board or whether there were any injuries.

The conflict between the United States and Iran has been ongoing for several months, with the blockade being one of the key strategies employed by Washington. The U.S. military has defended its actions as necessary to enforce the blockade and prevent supplies from reaching Iran. However, such actions have raised questions about the safety of civilian crews and the legality of intercepting ships on the high seas. These concerns are likely to be discussed in international forums, though no formal reactions have been reported yet.

Further details about the Vela Nova and the ongoing military operations are awaited as the situation develops.