Washington, August 12: According to a statement from the US Central Command (CENTCOM), American forces have disabled the steering gear of a Panama-flagged cargo ship. This vessel was allegedly attempting to breach the US blockade on Iranian ports.
CENTCOM reported that the MV Vela Nova, flying the Panama flag, was trying to navigate from the Gulf of Oman towards an Iranian port, which constituted a violation of the US blockade against Iran. During this incident, CENTCOM forces disabled the ship’s steering gear.
An MH-60 helicopter from the US Navy fired two missiles at the ship’s engine room after the crew ignored repeated warnings from American forces. The blockade remains fully enforced.
Maritime security firm Vanguard indicated in an initial report that the missiles struck the ship, causing a fire, which was later brought under control.
As of August 11, CENTCOM noted that 55 commercial vessels had been redirected for violating the blockade, three ships had been disabled for ignoring regulations, and two vessels were taken under control.
In a related development, on August 11, a formal leadership change occurred in the Combined Joint Task Force-Operation Inherent Resolve (CJTF-OIR) in the Middle East. Major General Kevin Lambert handed over command to Rear Admiral Liam Hulin.
This ceremony symbolized the official transfer of command of the US-led task force that supports coalition forces in operations against ISIS in Iraq and Syria. Established by US CENTCOM in 2014, CJTF-OIR provides advice, assistance, and support to partner forces in their campaigns against ISIS.
CENTCOM Commander Admiral Brad Cooper presided over the ceremony, emphasizing the task force’s role in combating terrorism, strengthening partnerships, and promoting regional security and stability. He also commended Kevin Lambert for his commitment and leadership during his tenure as the head of CJTF-OIR.
This leadership transition comes at a time when the task force is working with regional partners to address threats posed by ISIS and enhance security and stability across the region.
Deependra Singh Chundawat is a Senior Sub-Editor at Udaipur Kiran, specializing in a wide range of technology topics including mobile phones, applications, gaming, PCs, and wearables. Along with covering the latest tech news, he also creates engaging web stories. Passionate about emerging technologies, he stays up to date with the newest trends and enjoys reading and writing about the latest mobile launches and digital innovations.