US forces disable oil tanker near Iran amid blockade enforcement

U.S. forces disabled an empty oil tanker attempting to sail towards an Iranian port on July 15, citing its alleged violation of a naval blockade. The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) stated that the vessel ignored multiple warnings before being disabled.

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U.S. forces enforced naval blockade measures against Iran on July 15, by disabling an unladen oil tanker attempting to sail toward an Iranian port in the Arabian Gulf.

According to CENTCOM, the Curacao-flagged M/T Belma was observed transiting international waters toward Iran's Kharg Island. U.S. aircraft reportedly fired hellfire missiles into the ship's smokestack, disabling it and preventing its transit to Iran. CENTCOM confirmed that U.S. forces enforced naval blockade measures against Iran on that date.

This incident occurred as U.S. military forces resumed naval blockade enforcement measures against vessels traveling to or from Iranian ports. During the initial 24 hours of this enforcement, U.S. forces redirected two compliant commercial vessels and disabled the one non-compliant vessel. CENTCOM affirmed its continued vigilance to ensure full compliance.

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A U.S. aircraft disabled the vessel after firing hellfire missiles into the ship's smokestack. The ship is no longer transiting to Iran.

The event unfolds against a backdrop of heightened regional tensions. Earlier on Wednesday, U.S. forces launched a second wave of strikes targeting Iranian military capabilities believed to be used for threatening vessels in the Strait of Hormuz. CENTCOM stated these strikes were conducted under the direction of the U.S. Commander in Chief to hold Iran accountable.

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At 3 p.m. ET, U.S. forces launched operations for a second wave of strikes today against Iran. The strikes are targeting Iranian military capabilities used to threaten vessels freely transiting through the Strait of Hormuz, an international waterway vital to global commerce. The U.S. military is holding Iran accountable at the Commander in Chief's direction.