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U.S. MH-60 Helicopter Fires Hellfire Missiles to Disable Cargo Ship Breaking Iran Naval Blockade

A United States military aircraft struck the stern of a commercial vessel on October 10 to enforce an ongoing naval blockade. The kinetic intervention disabled the ship's propulsion without causing crew casualties, according to Central Command.

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A commercial cargo ship sits disabled in the Gulf of Oman following a targeted aerial strike on its propulsion systems.From: US Fighter Jet Disables Panama-Flagged Cargo Ship in Gulf of Oman Amid Blockade

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Key numbers

55
Commercial vessels redirected by U.S. forces
3
Non-compliant ships disabled by U.S. strikes since July
71 nm
Distance off the coast of Pakistan where the Vela Nova was struck
5.5 million b/d
Middle East oil output currently shut-in
6 vessels
Current daily transit average through the Strait of Hormuz

From: U.S. MH-60 Helicopter Fires Hellfire Missiles to Disable Cargo Ship Breaking Iran Naval Blockade

Charts, maps and images

Daily commercial vessel transits through the Strait of Hormuz have plummeted since the conflict began.From: U.S. MH-60 Helicopter Fires Hellfire Missiles to Disable Cargo Ship Breaking Iran Naval Blockade ·
Illustration: Military planners are increasingly relying on fixed-wing tactical aircraft to enforce maritime cordons.From: US Fighter Jet Disables Panama-Flagged Cargo Ship in Gulf of Oman Amid Blockade ·
The Gulf of Oman remains one of the world's most densely trafficked and heavily monitored shipping lanes.From: US Fighter Jet Disables Panama-Flagged Cargo Ship in Gulf of Oman Amid Blockade ·
Illustration: Targeting a vessel's stern allows military forces to disable steering and propulsion without compromising the crew compartment.From: US Fighter Jet Disables Panama-Flagged Cargo Ship in Gulf of Oman Amid Blockade ·
Civilian cargo ships face unprecedented physical risks while navigating Middle Eastern chokepoints.From: U.S. MH-60 Helicopter Fires Hellfire Missiles to Disable Cargo Ship Breaking Iran Naval Blockade ·

Timeline

October 2026

  1. US Fighter Jet Disables Panama-Flagged Cargo Ship in Gulf of Oman Amid Blockade

August 2026

  1. U.S. MH-60 Helicopter Fires Hellfire Missiles to Disable Cargo Ship Breaking Iran Naval Blockade