Media: US forces fire on ship breaching American blockade of Iran Updated

U.S. forces fired on a Panama-flagged container ship in the Gulf of Oman after it allegedly attempted to breach an American blockade of Iranian ports, a US official said.

The incident took place before dawn after the vessel’s crew ignored warnings from US personnel enforcing the blockade, according to the official. A US military helicopter fired at the ship’s rudder, apparently in an attempt to stop it, The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reports.

There were no immediate reports of casualties. The US official said the vessel appeared to be attempting to transfer its crew to another civilian ship following the attack.

Maritime security firm Vanguard earlier reported that the Panama-flagged Vela Nova was struck by a missile fired from a helicopter while travelling westwards through the Gulf of Oman, about 71 nautical miles from Pakistan’s coast.

“The missile struck the vessel, causing a fire that was subsequently extinguished,” Vanguard said in its initial report. The firm added that all 17 crew members were accounted for.

15:13

An incident involving a container ship and military forces has been reported in the Gulf of Oman, with maritime security sources saying the vessel was believed to have been hit by a missile off the coast of Pakistan.

The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said on August 11 that it had received a report of an incident involving a container ship and military forces in the Gulf of Oman, Reuters reports. 

The Panama-flagged Vela Nova was believed to have been struck by a missile while sailing about 71 nautical miles (131 kilometres) off Pakistan’s coast, according to British maritime risk management group Vanguard and a maritime security source.

13:46

An incident involving a tanker and military forces has been reported in the Gulf of Oman, according to the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO).

UKMTO said its operations centre had received a report of the incident but provided no further details.

It advised vessels operating in the area to monitor the latest maritime security information and remain alert to the evolving operational environment.

Authorities are aware of the incident, while relevant investigations are ongoing.

UKMTO ADVISORY 109-26

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— UKMTO Operations Centre (@UK_MTO) August 11, 2026

By Aghakazim Guliyev