US military fires on cargo vessel it says sought to break Iran blockade
US Central Command says a helicopter fired at the engine room of the Panama-flagged vessel Vela Nova as it sought to break a blockade on Iranian ports. The incident comes as US-Iran diplomacy remains stalled.
US Central Command said a helicopter fired at the engine room of the Panama-flagged vessel Vela Nova, saying the ship had sought to break a blockade on Iranian ports.
The incident occurred at a time when diplomacy between the United States and Iran remains stalled. Military action against shipping in the region underscores that tensions between the two sides persist.
Official statements from both sides are still awaited, and details about the vessel's condition and the safety of its crew have not yet been clarified. The episode could add to international concern over maritime security and how the blockade is being enforced in the region.
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