# US helicopter disables Panama-flagged ship headed to Iran

2026-08-12T01:46:53+00:00 | World & Diplomacy | Indian Opinion Desk

Corroboration: 3 independent outlets

A US Navy MH-60 helicopter fired missiles into the engine room of the Panama-flagged cargo vessel M/V Vela Nova on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, after the crew allegedly ignored repeated warnings and attempted to break the American blockade of Iranian ports, US Central Command (CENTCOM) said. No casualties were reported. The ship was disabled and is no longer transiting to Iran. This is the third forcible halt since the US reinstated the ports blockade on July 14. CENTCOM said it has redirected 55 ships and boarded two others as of Tuesday. Iran has demanded an end to the blockade as a condition to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a key oil and gas route that has seen traffic plummet due to attacks in the area.

## Coverage

- ndtv.com <https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/us-hit-panama-flagged-ship-that-tried-to-break-iranian-port-blockade-report-11896867#publisher=newsstand>
- thehindu.com <https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/us-helicopter-fired-on-ship-that-tried-to-break-iran-ports-blockade/article71338058.ece>
- timesnownews.com <https://www.timesnownews.com/world/middle-east/us-strikes-panama-flagged-ship-in-gulf-of-oman-after-crew-ignored-warnings-article-155596507>

Tags: Iran blockade, maritime incident, Middle East tension, Panama-flagged ship, US Navy
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