US says it disabled tanker attempting to breach naval blockade on Iran
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- CENTCOM says US forces disabled a tanker in the Arabian Gulf after it allegedly ignored warnings and attempted to breach the US naval blockade on Iran.
The United States said its forces disabled an oil tanker in the Arabian Gulf after it allegedly attempted to violate a US naval blockade on Iran.
In a statement posted on X on Tuesday, US Central Command (CENTCOM) said US forces targeted the Curacao-flagged tanker M/T Belma after it ignored repeated warnings while sailing toward Iran's Kharg Island.
According to CENTCOM, the unladen commercial vessel was transiting international waters when US forces determined it was attempting to breach the blockade. The military said a US aircraft fired Hellfire missiles into the ship's smokestack, disabling the vessel and preventing it from continuing toward the Iranian port.
"The ship is no longer transiting to Iran," CENTCOM said.
The US military said it resumed enforcement of a naval blockade on vessels travelling to or from Iranian ports and coastal areas at 4 p.m. ET on July 14.
CENTCOM said that during the first 24 hours of enforcement, US forces redirected two commercial vessels that complied with its orders and disabled one vessel that it described as non-compliant.
"US forces remain vigilant and prepared to ensure full compliance," the command said.
The announcement comes as tensions between the United States and Iran continue to escalate following an exchange of military strikes and growing concerns over maritime security in and around the Arabian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz.
