U.S. disables tanker violating Iran blockade on July 15

United States forces disabled an oil tanker in the Arabian Gulf on July 15, 2026, after the vessel ignored repeated warnings and attempted to breach a recently reinstated naval blockade against Iran. The action marks the first public enforcement of the renewed blockade and occurred amid a significant escalation of military strikes between the two nations.

According to U.S. Central Command, the Curacao-flagged tanker MT Belma was sailing toward Iran's primary oil export terminal on Kharg Island when it was intercepted. A U.S. military aircraft fired AGM-114 Hellfire missiles at the ship's smokestack, disabling its engines and rendering it unable to proceed. Officials emphasized the strike was precise, leaving the hull intact and preventing the vessel from sinking. The tanker was not carrying cargo at the time.

The U.S. naval blockade, which targets commercial vessels traveling to or from Iranian ports, was reinstated on July 14, 2026, following the collapse of a four-week ceasefire. Central Command stated that two other vessels received warnings on July 15 and complied by rerouting, but the MT Belma continued its course. The Belma had previously been sanctioned by the U.S....