A US helicopter fired missiles at a Panama-flagged cargo vessel in the Gulf of Oman on Monday, according to the US Central Command. The attack was carried out to disable the ship, which was attempting to violate the Iran blockade.

The US military says the helicopter fired precision-guided missiles at the engine room of the vessel, disabling it and preventing it from continuing its journey. The incident has escalated tensions in the region, with the US and Iran locked in a long-standing conflict.

The US Central Command statement described the incident as a 'defensive operation' aimed at preventing the ship from violating the blockade. The statement did not provide information on whether there were any injuries in the attack.

The incident comes as tensions between the US and Iran remain high. In recent weeks, there have been reports of increased military activity in the region, with both sides engaging in a series of skirmishes and confrontations.

US-Iran relations have been strained since the US withdrew from the Iran nuclear deal in 2018. The deal, signed in 2015, imposed limits on Iran's nuclear programme in exchange for relief from economic sanctions. The US withdrawal was followed by a significant escalation in tensions, with both sides engaging in a series of military confrontations and cyber-attacks.

The Iran blockade, imposed in response to the US withdrawal, has had a significant impact on the country's economy. The blockade has prevented Iran from exporting oil and other essential goods, exacerbating the country's economic crisis.

The US helicopter attack has further complicated the situation, with the US and Iran exchanging threats and accusations. The incident has raised concerns about the potential for further escalation and the impact on regional and global security.