The U.S. attacked a commercial tanker bound for Iran for the first time
The U.S. military struck the oil tanker M/T Belma, which was heading toward Iran’s key oil export terminal on the island of Khark.
According to U.S. military officials, the Curaçao-flagged tanker ignored several warnings and attempted to break through the U.S. blockade. Following this, U.S. military aircraft fired Hellfire missiles at the vessel, striking its smokestack and immobilizing the tanker.
As the Financial Times notes, this is the first known instance in which the U.S. has used force against a commercial vessel since the blockade of Iranian ports was reinstated. During the first 24 hours of the blockade, U.S. forces also forced two other vessels to change course.
Washington accuses Iran of violating the ceasefire and attacking commercial shipping. CENTCOM Commander Brad Cooper stated that during the first week of the new escalation, Iranian forces attacked seven commercial vessels.
According to the publication, the renewed confrontation between the U.S. and Iran has almost completely paralyzed shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, through which approximately one-fifth of the world’s oil and natural gas supplies passed before the conflict.
U.S. President Donald Trump previously stated that strikes against Iran would continue this week and next. In response, Tehran attacked U.S. military facilities and targets in the Persian Gulf region.
This was reported by the Financial Times, citing U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM).
As a reminder, starting on July 15 and continuing into the night of July 16, the U.S. carried out two waves of strikes on Iranian territory. The targets of the attacks included a number of Tehran’s military facilities, as well as a tanker heading for Iranian ports.
U.S. President Donald Trump stated that Iran had released an American woman whom, according to him, had been unlawfully detained since December 2024.
