The United States on early Thursday (local time Wednesday) disabled an oil tanker attempting to reach an Iranian port, marking the first commercial vessel targeted since Washington reimposed its naval blockade against Iran as part of its escalating campaign over the Strait of Hormuz.
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US Central Command (Centcom) said the Curacao-flagged oil tanker M/T Belma, which was not carrying cargo, ignored repeated warnings while sailing toward Kharg Island, Iran's main oil export terminal in the Arabian Gulf.
"US Central Command (Centcom) forces observed Curacao-flagged M/T Belma transiting international waters toward Kharg Island," Centcom said in a statement on X.
"The commercial vessel ignored multiple warnings as it attempted to violate the US blockade. A US aircraft disabled the vessel after firing Hellfire missiles into the ship's smokestack. The ship is no longer transiting to Iran."
