US Navy fires missiles at Panama-flagged ship heading towards Iran

The US military fired two Hellfire missiles at a Panama-flagged cargo ship on Tuesday after it allegedly ignored repeated orders to stop while attempting to breach the US naval blockade on Iran.

US Central Command said a Navy MH-60 helicopter targeted the engine room of the Vela Nova, disabling the vessel's steering apparatus.

“A U.S. 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 ship is no longer transiting to Iran in violation of the U.S. blockade, which remains in full effect,” CENTCOM said in a statement.

The military did not say whether any crew members were injured.

CENTCOM said that as of August 11, US forces had redirected 55 commercial vessels allegedly attempting to breach the blockade, disabled three vessels and boarded two.

“U.S. forces operating in the Middle East are highly vigilant, lethal, and ready,” it added.

THe US first imposed the naval blockade on Iranian ports and coastal areas east of the Strait of Hormuz in April. It was lifted following an interim ceasefire in June before being reinstated in mid-July.

Iran claims authority over the waterway, while the US disputes that position and cites international freedom of navigation rules.