US Launches Two Airstrikes Against Iran in One Day, Disabling Tanker to Prevent Blockade Breach

U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) forces carried out two waves of airstrikes against Iranian targets on July 15, reinforcing the maritime blockade. The operations aimed to degrade Iran's capacity to threaten commercial navigation in critical waterways.

The first strike, executed on the morning of July 15, targeted coastal defense systems and cruise missile storage facilities on Greater Tunb Island. CENTCOM stated these precision strikes further diminished Iran's ability to interfere with shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.

Later that afternoon, U.S. forces launched a second airstrike. This action involved disabling the M/T Belma, a tanker flagged in Curaçao, which was en route to Kharg Island, Iran's primary oil export terminal. The vessel had reportedly ignored multiple warnings and was attempting to breach the U.S. naval blockade.

CENTCOM confirmed that a U.S. aircraft fired a Hellfire missile at the tanker's smokestack, causing it to lose power and cease its advance toward Iran. The operation underscores the U.S. commitment to enforcing the blockade and ensuring freedom of navigation.

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U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) forces have disabled the Curaçao-flagged tanker M/T Belma after the vessel ignored repeated warnings and continued toward Kharg Island, Iran's primary oil export terminal, in violation of the reimposed U.S. naval blockade.