Muscat, Oman – The US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced that it fired on a Panamanian-flagged cargo ship after it attempted to cross the Gulf of Oman and head to an Iranian port.
This incident is the latest in a series of events related to the US naval blockade of Iran.
CENTCOM stated that the ship, the Vela Nova, ignored repeated warnings from US forces. As a result, a US Navy helicopter fired two missiles at the ship’s engine room to disable it.
Disabling the ship’s steering system for violating the blockade
US Central Command explained that the operation disabled the ship’s navigation system and prevented it from continuing its course toward Iran.
Central Command considered the ship’s movement an attempt to breach the blockade imposed on Iranian ports.
CENTCOM revealed that US forces have recently diverted dozens of commercial vessels to alternative routes. They have also disabled several ships and boarded others.
Tensions escalate in the waters of the Gulf of Oman
The incident comes amid escalating tensions in the Gulf and the Gulf of Oman. There are concerns that the maritime confrontations could widen and impact international trade and energy security.
The incident further strains shipping in the region, particularly as the Gulf of Oman is a key waterway leading to the Strait of Hormuz. A significant portion of global energy trade passes through this strait.
