U.S. Missiles Disable Oil Tanker Heading Toward Iran

Iran – U.S. forces enforced naval blockade measures against Iran on July 15 by disabling an unladen oil tanker that was attempting to sail toward an Iranian port in the Arabian Gulf. U.S. Central Command forces observed the Curacao-flagged M/T Belma as it traveled through international waters toward Kharg Island. The commercial vessel ignored multiple warnings while attempting to violate the U.S. blockade. A U.S. aircraft disabled the vessel after firing Hellfire missiles into the ship’s smokestack. The ship is no longer transiting to Iran. U.S. forces resumed the naval blockade against vessels traveling to or from Iranian ports and coastal areas at 4 p.m. ET on July 14. During the first 24 hours of enforcement, CENTCOM redirected two compliant commercial vessels and disabled one non-compliant vessel. U.S. forces remain vigilant and prepared to ensure full compliance.