The U.S. has fired on a commercial vessel attempting to break its blockade of Iranian ports, marking a significant escalation in the enforcement of the blockade. A U.S. military helicopter reportedly fired on the Panama flagged containership Vela Nova after the crew ignored warnings from American forces. The U.S. says the helicopter targeted the ship's rudder; maritime security firm Vanguard reported the vessel was struck by a missile, causing a fire that was later extinguished. All 17 crew members were reportedly accounted for, with no immediate reports of casualties. The incident occurred in the Gulf of Oman, roughly 71 nautical miles off Pakistan.

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The U.S. has fired on a commercial vessel attempting to break its blockade of Iranian ports, marking a significant escalation in the enforcement of the blockade. A U.S. military helicopter reportedly fired on the Panama flagged containership Vela Nova after the crew ignored warnings from American forces. The U.S. says the helicopter targeted the ship's rudder; maritime security firm Vanguard reported the vessel was struck by a missile, causing a fire that was later extinguished. All 17 crew memb