U.S. forces fire on Panama-flagged cargo ship in Gulf of Oman

Early Tuesday, August 11, 2026, U.S. military forces engaged the Panama-flagged cargo ship M/V Vela Nova in the Gulf of Oman, approximately 71 nautical miles off the coast of Pakistan. According to U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), a military helicopter fired two Hellfire missiles at the vessel after its crew ignored repeated warnings and attempted to breach the U.S.-imposed naval blockade on Iranian ports.

The strikes disabled the vessel's steering system and struck the engine room, effectively halting its progress. There were no immediate reports of casualties. Following the engagement, observers noted the crew appeared to be attempting to transfer to another civilian vessel. This incident marks the third time the U.S. military has used force to enforce the blockade since it was reinstated on July 14, 2026.

U.S. authorities reported that, under the current enforcement operation, 55 vessels have been redirected away from Iranian ports. During the initial implementation of the blockade between mid-April and mid-June, the military had engaged nine ships and redirected over 140 others. The Trump administration continues to utilize these measures to increase economic pressure on the Iranian government.