US Military Strikes Panama-Flagged Vessel Amidst Iranian Port Blockade
The United States has disabled a third ship attempting to breach its blockade of Iranian ports, while reports emerge of a secret aircraft swap by President Donald Trump during the NATO summit in Turkey.
The United States military confirmed on Tuesday that it had shot a Panama-flagged ship attempting to approach an Iranian port in violation of Washington’s blockade. A US Navy MH-60 helicopter fired missiles into the engine room of the M/V Vela Nova after the civilian crew ignored repeated warnings from American forces.
US Central Command (CENTCOM) stated on X that the strike disabled the vessel, which is no longer transiting to Iran. This incident marks the third time the United States has forcibly halted a vessel since reinstating the ports blockade on July 14. CENTCOM reported that it has redirected 55 ships and boarded two others since the blockade resumed.
President Donald Trump asserted that the United States was exercising "total control" over the Strait of Hormuz. The conflict is described as part of a months-long war against Iran, with previous US forces blockading Iranian ports from April 13 to June 18, during which they disabled nine ships and redirected more than 140.
In a separate development regarding security protocols, President Trump revealed he secretly switched planes in Turkey last month at the direction of the US Secret Service. Following a NATO summit in Ankara, Trump was transferred from Air Force One to a military plane via a catering truck in response to an Iranian assassination threat.
The White House did not disclose the change, which remained a secret until the Washington Post reported it on Monday. Some media commentators questioned whether the operation left Trump's aides and journalists travelling with him at risk aboard the plane presumed to be carrying the president.
