Gulf of OmanTwo Hellfire missiles crippled a civilian cargo ship.
A naval blockade means merchant crews now face lethal fire for sailing toward Iran.
CENTCOM says the Panama-flagged Vela Nova ignored warnings, redirecting 55 vessels and disabling three since reimposing the blockade July 14.
Iran says Hormuz stays shut until Washington changes its “behaviour.”
Sources: Al Jazeera Online, The Independent, South China Morning Post, TASS