The United States Central Command (CENTCOM) released a video on Wednesday evening, July 15, announcing that US forces, acting under the naval blockade of Iran, had intercepted and disabled an oil tanker bound for an Iranian port.
CENTCOM stated that the Curaçao-flagged tanker, M/T Belma, was sailing through international waters toward Kharg Island. Despite receiving multiple warnings, the vessel continued on its course in an attempt to breach the US naval blockade.
According to the statement, a US aircraft fired Hellfire missiles at the tanker’s funnel, disabling its propulsion. CENTCOM claimed that the vessel was unladen and was no longer heading toward Iran.
The US Central Command also noted that the naval blockade on vessels transiting to or from Iranian ports and coastal areas was officially resumed at 4:00 PM Eastern Time on July 14.
According to CENTCOM, during the first 24 hours of the reinstated blockade, two commercial vessels altered their course after receiving warnings, while the one vessel that refused to comply was disabled.
