Washington, Aug 12 (V7N)- The United States has fired missiles at a cargo ship attempting to reach an Iranian port despite a US blockade, disabling the vessel's steering system, according to the US military.

The US Central Command (CENTCOM) said on Tuesday (August 11) that a Panamanian-flagged cargo ship, M/V Vela Nova, was sailing through the Gulf of Oman toward an Iranian port.

According to CENTCOM, US forces repeatedly warned the civilian crew to change course. After the warnings were ignored, an MH-60 military helicopter fired two Hellfire missiles at the ship's engine room.

The attack disabled the vessel and prevented it from continuing toward Iran, CENTCOM said. The US military did not report whether anyone was injured. Iran has not yet commented on the incident.

CENTCOM said the US blockade of Iranian ports remains “in full effect.” As of August 11, US forces had redirected 55 commercial vessels attempting to evade the blockade. Three vessels had reportedly been immobilized and two searched.

The incident comes amid continued military tensions between Washington and Tehran. The United States and Israel launched military operations against Iran on February 28, while efforts by mediators to secure a lasting agreement have so far failed.

Iran has also carried out attacks against Israel and US allies in the Gulf region. At the same time, Tehran has effectively restricted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world's most important energy routes.

Before the conflict, around one-fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas shipments passed through the strait. The disruption has therefore raised concerns over global energy supplies and contributed to significant fluctuations in oil prices.

Meanwhile, Yemen's government reported that three people were killed and 10 injured in a Houthi attack on a cargo ship in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait in the Red Sea on the same day.

The Iran-backed Houthis said the vessel was carrying Saudi military equipment. The incident was reportedly the group's first deadly attack on a ship since the beginning of the current conflict.

With the US blockade of Iranian ports, disruption in the Strait of Hormuz and attacks in the Red Sea, security concerns are increasing across several critical maritime routes in the Middle East.

END/SMA/AJ