The ship was hit in the rudder, an American source told the newspaper.
The information was confirmed by Central Command, Centcom. According to a statement, the helicopter fired two missiles at the engine room of the ship Vela Nova after “the ship’s civilian crew ignored repeated warnings from US forces.”
The US military says the ship was sailing towards an Iranian port.
A fire that could be extinguished broke out and none of the 17 people on the crew were injured, according to marine safety company Vanguard.
On several occasions during the summer, the US military has attacked, boarded or redirected ships that are believed to be violating the naval blockade of Iranian ports.
