US forces struck the Panama-flagged containership Vela Nova in the Gulf of Oman after the vessel allegedly attempted to breach the US blockade against Iran, according to US Central Command (CENTCOM). CENTCOM said a US Navy MH-60 helicopter fired two Hellfire missiles into the vessel’s engine room after its civilian crew ignored repeated warnings from American forces. The strike disabled the vessel’s steering capability and prevented it from continuing towards an Iranian port, according to the US military. The incident occurred on 11 August approximately 71 nautical miles off the coast of Pakistan. UKMTO reports incident involving military forces The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) initially reported an incident involving a containership and military forces in the Gulf of Oman at around 0715 UTC. UKMTO Advisory 109-26 did not initially identify the vessel or the military forces involved. It advised vessels in the region to consider the latest maritime security information and maintain awareness of the evolving operational environment. Initial assessments from maritime security sources subsequently identified the vessel as the Panama-flagged Vela Nova and indicated that it had been struck by a missile. CENTCOM later confirmed that US forces had deliberately targeted the vessel. Earlier today, CENTCOM forces disabled the steering gear of Panama-flagged M/V Vela Nova as the cargo vessel attempted to transit the Gulf of Oman and violate the U.S. blockade against Iran by sailing toward an Iranian port. A U.S. Navy MH-60 helicopter fired two hellfire… pic.twitter.com/hqY1g2Ng8q — U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) August 11, 2026 According to the US military, Vela Nova was sailing towards an Iranian port in violation of the US blockade when American forces intervened. Two Hellfire missiles fired at engine room CENTCOM said the containership’s civilian crew had ignored repeated warnings before the US Navy MH-60 helicopter fired two Hellfire m