U.S. forces on Tuesday disabled the steering gear of a Panamanian-flagged cargo vessel as it allegedly tried to breach the U.S. blockade of Iranian ports, according to a statement from the U.S. 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 U.S. blockade against Iran by sailing toward an Iranian port," the statement said.
A U.S. Navy MH-60 helicopter fired two missiles into the Vela Nova's engine room, according to the command.
"The missile struck the vessel, causing a fire that was subsequently extinguished," maritime security firm Vanguard said in an initial report on the incident.
"As of Aug 11, CENTCOM has redirected 55 commercial vessels attempting to run the blockade, disabled three non-compliant vessels, and boarded two," the command said.
U.S. forces disable ship for breaching blockade against Iran
Yemen's Houthi group said Tuesday it remains open to dialogue with Saudi Arabia, but will press ahead with attacks on Saudi-linked shipping and military targets unless its demands are met.
In a statement posted on social media platform X, Mohammed Abdul-Salam, the group's chief negotiator and spokesperson, said a Houthi delegation was holding contacts and meetings with regional and international parties over the latest developments.
We have not closed the door to dialogue and negotiations, Abdul-Salam said, accusing Saudi Arabia of rejecting talks while preparing for further military action in Yemen.
He said the recent strikes on Saudi-linked ships and forces were retaliation for attacks on Houthi-held areas, notably the July 13 strike on Sanaa airport that prevented an Iranian plane carrying a Houthi delegation from landing.
Abdul-Salam also accused Saudi Arabia of intensifying economic pressure on Houthi-held areas, restricting shipments to the Red Sea port of Hodeidah and targeting banks and businesses.
There was no immediate comment from Saudi Arabia on the Houthi remarks.
The statement comes amid a sharp escalation between the Houthis and Saudi Arabia. The Houthis have recently stepped up missile and drone attacks on government-held areas in Yemen, targets in Saudi Arabia, and Saudi-linked commercial shipping.
Yemen has been mired in conflict since late 2014, when the Houthis seized much of northern Yemen, including the capital Sanaa. A Saudi-led coalition intervened in 2015 in support of the internationally recognized Yemeni government.
A UN-brokered truce took effect in April 2022 and expired six months later without a formal extension, but a fragile de facto ceasefire largely held for years before the recent escalation.
Houthis say open to talks with Saudi Arabia amid escalating tensions
