On August 11 local time, according to information from the U.S. Central Command, the U.S. military fired at the cargo ship Vela Nova, which flies the flag of Panama.
The US Central Command said that the cargo ship was attempting to pass through the Oman Gulf, break through the U.S. blockade against Iran, and head towards an Iranian port.
The US Central Command stated that the crew of the ship ignored multiple warnings from the US military. An American Navy MH-60 helicopter fired two Hellfire missiles at the ship. The ship is no longer attempting to break through the US blockade, which remains in effect.
The U.S. Central Command also stated that as of August 11, 55 civilian ships that tried to break through the blockade were forced to change course. The U.S. military also disabled three ships that did not cooperate and inspected two ships on board.
According to The Wall Street Journal, there are no immediate reports of casualties due to this incident. An American official stated that the ship seemed to attempt to transfer its crew to another civilian vessel after being attacked.
