Airspace above the Strait of Hormuz. [CENTCOM/X]
Airspace above the Strait of Hormuz. [CENTCOM/X]

The United States fired missiles from a helicopter at a Panama-flagged cargo ship attempting to breach its maritime blockade of Iran, disabling the vessel. The US military has so far rerouted 55 merchant ships that tried to violate the blockade and disabled three that refused to comply.

CENTCOM announced Tuesday on X that US forces had disabled the steering system of the Panama-flagged cargo vessel Bella Nova after it sailed toward an Iranian port in violation of the American maritime blockade of Iran.

According to CENTCOM, the crew of the Bella Nova continued sailing despite repeated warnings from US forces. A US Navy MH-60 helicopter then fired two Hellfire air-to-ground precision-guided missiles at the vessel's engine room.

The Bella Nova is no longer under way following the missile strike. CENTCOM said the US blockade of Iran remains fully in force.

US forces have continued to reroute, board and inspect, and disable vessels attempting to breach the maritime blockade of Iran.

As of Tuesday, CENTCOM said it had redirected 55 merchant ships that tried to violate the blockade. Of those, three vessels that refused to comply with US instructions were disabled, and two others were boarded and inspected.

"US forces are operating at a high alert posture, with robust combat power, ready to execute," CENTCOM said.

The Wall Street Journal earlier reported, citing US officials, that American military helicopters had fired on a ship attempting to break through the Iran maritime blockade.

According to the Wall Street Journal, the Bella Nova was struck by helicopter-launched missiles while sailing westward through the Gulf of Oman, about 71 nautical miles (131 kilometers) off the coast of Pakistan.

There were 17 crew members aboard at the time, and all were confirmed safe.


sjy@heraldcorp.com