In brief
US forces struck the oil tanker Belma with Hellfire missiles after it entered Gulf waters heading toward Iran's Kharg Island, thereby re‑enforcing a maritime blockade that had been lifted in a previous cease‑fire. The strike, which disabled the vessel's smokestack, underscores a fresh escalation in a standoff that began with Iranian attacks on commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz. Analysts note that the U.S. re‑imposing sanctions and blockades after the war signaled a shift in policy, as Iran regains oil export capacity before now‑imposed restrictions are lifted again.
The United States has struck the oil tanker Belma with Hellfire missiles after it entered Gulf waters headed for Iran’s Kharg Island, the largest oil export terminal in the country. The strike targeting the vessel’s smokestack was carried out by a U.S. Central Command aircraft, re‑instituting a maritime blockade that had been temporarily lifted following a previous cease‑fire agreement.
The Belma, under US sanctions for links to Iran, made the illicit crossing after passing through the Strait of Hormuz on 30 June. It was reported to carry no cargo and was seen 100 km southeast of Kharg Island on Thursday. Admiral Kelly’s office said the tanker ignored multiple warnings before it was disabled.
U.S. officials say the re‑enforced blockade has already intercepted more than 140 vessels and disabled nine ships during the brief period it was in effect between 13 April and 18 June. With the cease‑fire lifted on 17 June, the U.S. temporarily eased sanctions, allowing limited Iranian oil sales, but recently revoked the licence after Iranian attacks on ships in the Strait of Hormuz.
Analysts from United Against Nuclear Iran estimate that between the blockade’s end and its resumption, Iran exported at least 74 million barrels of oil, valued at more than $6 billion, before sanctions were re‑imposed.
Crossings through the Strait of Hormuz have fallen below the pre‑conflict average of 138 per day. A bar chart from maritime intelligence firm Kpler shows only 11 fuel tankers and cargo vessels crossing the Strait on Wednesday.
