U.S. Disables Tanker With Hellfire Missiles for Breaching Iran Blockade

U.S. forces disabled the Curaçao-flagged M/T Belma after it ignored multiple warnings while sailing through international waters toward Iran’s Kharg Island, Central Command said. A U.S. aircraft fired Hellfire missiles into the unladen tanker’s smokestack, ending its transit toward Iran. CENTCOM said the action came during the first 24 hours after Washington resumed its blockade of vessels entering or leaving Iranian ports and coastal areas at 4 p.m. Eastern on July 14. Two compliant commercial vessels were redirected during the same period, while the military said it remained prepared to enforce the blockade.