US Strikes Tanker as New Iran Blockade Takes Effect
The US military attacked an oil tanker in the Gulf on Wednesday, firing missiles into its smokestack after it ignored warnings to change course. The vessel, called Belma, was heading towards Iran's largest oil export terminal at Kharg Island.
US Central Command said the aircraft disabled the tanker with Hellfire missiles. The action came one day after President Trump reimposed a blockade of Iranian ports. He said the ceasefire was "over" following a series of alleged Iranian attacks on commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz and days of tit-for-tat strikes between the two countries.
This is not the first time Washington has used such measures. A naval blockade was in place between 13 April and 18 June. During that period, the US said it redirected more than 140 vessels and disabled nine ships.
The blockade and key sanctions on Iranian oil were lifted as part of a ceasefire deal signed on 17 June. In the weeks that followed, Iran exported at least 74 million barrels of oil worth up to $6bn, according to experts. The US restricted the licence that allowed these sales last week after Iran carried out attacks on ships in the Strait of Hormuz.
Belma, which had been sanctioned by the US under a former name for links with Iran, entered the Gulf on Tuesday. Ship-tracking data showed it was reporting no cargo on board. Its last broadcast location was about 100km south-east of Kharg Island.
Two other commercial vessels complied with US instructions and changed course. Another crude oil tanker under US sanctions, called Fuyao, reversed course and returned to Iranian waters. It is not clear if this was a direct response to the US enforcement.
Crossings through the Strait of Hormuz have fallen sharply. Just 11 fuel tankers and cargo vessels crossed on Wednesday, down from 17 on Monday and 16 on Tuesday. Before the conflict, the average was 138 per day.
posted by Arian @ July 16, 2026
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