U.s. Official Has Told the Wall Street Journal That American Forces Opened Fire on a Vessel Attempting to Breach the Naval Blockade Imposed

The official claimed that early today, a U.S. military helicopter fired at the helm of a Panama-flagged ship after its crew ignored warnings from U.S. personnel tasked with enforcing the blockade. The report said the action marks an escalation of security measures under the Trump administration's efforts to economically pressure the Iranian regime. The official did not confirm any casualties but alleged that after the attack, the vessel's crew attempted to transfer to another civilian ship.

Maritime security firm Vanguard reported that the Panama-flagged container ship "Vela Nova" was struck by a missile fired from a helicopter while sailing westward in the Gulf of Oman, approximately 71 nautical miles off the coast of Pakistan. Vanguard's initial report stated, The missile hit the vessel and caused a fire, which was later extinguished, and confirmed that all 17 crew members were in good condition.