You are using an outdated browser For a better experience using this site, please upgrade to a modern web browser. Subscribe Get Daily Email Subscribe --> Contact Us Sign in Home News & Features Compliance Costs Bunker Prices Bunker Intelligence EMEA News Latest Features World Americas EMEA Asia/Pacific Home News & Features EMEA US Forces Strike Panama-Flagged Boxship For Violating Iran Blockade US Forces Strike Panama-Flagged Boxship For Violating Iran Blockade by Ship & Bunker News Team Wednesday August 12, 2026 Tweet Follow @shipandbunker A US Navy helicopter fired two missiles into the Vela Nova’s engine room. Image Credit: CENTCOM US forces struck a vessel, alleging that it was sailing towards Iran in violation of a US -imposed naval blockade. The Panama -flagged container ship,  Vela Nova , sailing towards an Iranian port, was disabled on Tuesday , US Central Command said in a recent social media post. “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,” CENTCOM said in the post. “The ship is no longer transiting to Iran in violation of the U.S. blockade, which remains in full effect.” The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) had reported the incident off the coast of Pakistan on Tuesday , without initially providing details of the vessel or the circumstances surrounding the incident. The latest incident adds to tensions in the region. The US had reimposed its naval blockade against Iran last month , after the blockade was lifted in June  following the signing of the MoU.  Ship & Bunker News Team To contact the editor responsible for this story email us at [email protected] Also in the News Bab el-Mandeb Closure Threat Not Enough To Prevent 1% Dip In Oil A former ambassador to Yemen says such an attempt would draw "international anger." Read in Full Report Calls for Common Standards for Safe Havens in Ammonia