US forces disabled the steering gear of a Panamanian-flagged cargo vessel as it allegedly tried to breach the US blockade of Iranian ports, according to a statement from the US military's Central Command (CENTCOM). 

"CENTCOM forces disabled the steering gear of Panama-flagged M/V Vela Nova as the cargo vessel attempted to transit the Gulf of Oman and violate the US blockade against Iran by sailing toward an Iranian port," the statement said. A US Navy MH-60 helicopter fired two missiles into the Vela Nova's engine room, according to the command.