US Central Command (CENTCOM) said its forces disabled a Panama-flagged cargo vessel in the Gulf of Oman after it allegedly attempted to breach the US blockade against Iran by sailing towards an Iranian port.

CENTCOM said the M/V Vela Nova’s steering system was disabled after its civilian crew ignored repeated warnings from US forces. The command said a US Navy MH-60 helicopter fired two Hellfire missiles into the vessel’s engine room, preventing it from continuing towards Iran.

US Forces Disable Cargo Vessel

CENTCOM said the incident occurred when the M/V Vela Nova attempted to transit the Gulf of Oman towards an Iranian port in violation of the US blockade.

“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,” the command said in a post on X.

According to CENTCOM, the crew ignored repeated warnings issued by American forces before the US Navy intervened.

“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.

The command said the vessel was no longer travelling towards Iran and therefore could not continue its alleged attempt to breach the blockade.

“The ship is no longer transiting to Iran in violation of the U.S. blockade, which remains in full effect,” CENTCOM said.

US Says 55 Ships Redirected

CENTCOM said the Vela Nova incident was part of wider US efforts to enforce the blockade against Iran.

As of August 11, US forces had redirected 55 commercial vessels that CENTCOM said were attempting to circumvent the blockade.

The command said three non-compliant vessels had been disabled and two had been boarded as part of the enforcement operation.

“U.S. forces operating in the Middle East are highly vigilant, lethal, and ready,” CENTCOM said.

Iran Discusses Maritime Fees

The US action came as Iran and Oman continued negotiations over arrangements for shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said on Monday that fees should generally be charged for maritime services provided in the strategic waterway.

Baghaei was responding to a question about whether charges for maritime services had been discussed during talks between Tehran and Muscat over the possible designation of a new shipping route through the strait.

“Generally, when you provide maritime services, you must be reimbursed for them,” Baghaei said.

He added that the issue was not currently being discussed in detail, saying negotiations were continuing and that “certain technical points” would be addressed.

Iran, Oman Discuss New Shipping Route

Baghaei described the negotiations between Iran and Oman as proceeding “smoothly and constructively”.

He said the talks were focused on establishing mechanisms for safe shipping, addressing environmental concerns, providing maritime services and combating crime in the Strait of Hormuz.

Under a potential agreement, Iran and Oman could replace the existing northern and southern shipping routes through the strait with an intermediate route, Baghaei said.

The proposed route would be used temporarily until the two countries reach an agreement on a new traffic separation scheme.

Baghaei attributed the closure of the Strait of Hormuz to what he described as US and Israeli “military aggression” against Iran. He said reopening the waterway would depend on the removal of conditions imposed on Tehran.

The latest US action against the Vela Nova comes as negotiations over the strategic waterway continue, with Washington seeking to enforce its blockade and Tehran and Oman working on possible mechanisms to restore safer commercial shipping.

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