US Helicopter Fires Hellfire Missiles at Cargo Ship Violating Iranian Blockade

Sun Sep 06 2026 11:35:22 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

US Central Command reports MH‑60 helicopter fired missiles at Panama‑flagged MV Vela Nova in Gulf of Oman to thwart a vessel’s attempt to breach its blockade of Iranian ports.

A U.S. MH‑60 helicopter fired about two Hellfire missiles at the Panama‑flagged cargo ship MV Vela Nova in the Gulf of Oman, targeting its steering system after the crew ignored repeated warnings; the ship was attempting to transit the U.S. blockade of Iranian ports. US Central Command says its blockade remains in full effect and that since August 11 it has redirected 55 vessels, disabled three, and boarded two vessels. Iran has not yet commented on the incident. The blockade was first enforced in April following failed diplomatic talks over the Iran‑U.S. conflict.

US Military Confirms Helicopter Fired on Cargo Ship During Gulf Blockade

The United States Central Command (Centcom) announced that a U.S. MH‑60 helicopter fired two Hellfire missiles into the engine room of the Panama‑flagged cargo vessel M/V Vela Nova as it attempted to enter the Gulf of Oman toward an Iranian port. The missile strike was aimed at the ship’s steering gear, effectively disabling its navigation capability.

Centcom stated that the ship’s civilian crew ignored repeated warnings from American forces, prompting the offensive action. As a result, the vessel is no longer transiting to Iran.

The U.S. blockade of Iranian ports, which began in April following failed diplomatic negotiations, remains fully operational. As of 11 August, Centcom has redirected 55 commercial vessels, disabled three non‑compliant vessels, and boarded two others.

Iran has not yet commented on the incident.