US military says it disabled tanker trying to breach blockade amid new wave of strikes on Iran – Middle East crisis live

The U.S. military announced it disabled an oil tanker attempting to violate a naval blockade on Iranian ports in the Strait of Hormuz. U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) reported that the Curacao-flagged M/T Belma was transiting international waters toward Kharg Island on July 15.

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

According to CENTCOM, the commercial vessel ignored multiple warnings before U.S. aircraft fired Hellfire missiles into its smokestack, disabling it. The ship is no longer proceeding to Iran. This action took place as part of "naval blockade measures against Iran."

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The commercial vessel ignored multiple warnings as it attempted to violate the U.S. blockade.

The incident is part of a broader escalation, with reports of a new wave of U.S. strikes against Iran occurring simultaneously. Iranian state media reported explosions in several cities, including Bandar Abbas, Rask, and Chabahar, as well as near Qeshm and Bandar Imam Khomeini. Fresh strikes were also reported near Bushehr, home to Iran's only civilian nuclear plant.

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A U.S. aircraft disabled the vessel after firing hellfire missiles into the ship’s smokestack.

Earlier reports indicated that Iran threatened to halt all Middle East energy exports over the U.S. naval blockade. The situation remains tense, with Tehran vowing a "decisive response" after previous U.S. strikes reportedly killed seven personnel.

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The ship is no longer transiting to Iran.