The US military has intercepted and disabled an oil tanker allegedly attempting to breach a newly reimposed naval blockade on Iranian ports, according to a statement posted on social media platform X by US Central Command (Centcom), as reported by ShippingWatch.
Tanker Struck by Hellfire Missiles
According to Centcom, the vessel involved was the MT Belma, a tanker registered in Curaçao. Centcom stated that the ship “ignored multiple warnings while attempting to breach the US blockade” as it sailed toward the Iranian oil terminal on Kharg Island. The tanker was reportedly carrying an empty cargo hold at the time.
Centcom said a US military aircraft fired Hellfire missiles at the vessel’s funnel to disable it, adding that the ship is no longer heading toward Iran. ShippingWatch reports that this marks the first vessel Centcom has attacked since the blockade was reinstated on Tuesday evening at 10:00 p.m. CET. Centcom also noted that two additional ships have been rerouted following US orders since the blockade took effect.
Wider Military Escalation
The tanker incident coincided with a fresh wave of US strikes against Iranian targets overnight into Thursday, according to Centcom. The strikes reportedly targeted Iranian command centers, missile and drone capabilities, air defense positions, and coastal surveillance facilities, with Centcom stating the objective was to reduce Iran’s capacity to threaten civilian shipping. Centcom announced at 3:20 a.m. CET that the operation, which included strikes on the city of Bandar Abbas, had concluded.
ShippingWatch, citing Reuters and AFP, reported that Iranian news agency Mehr said Tehran’s air defense systems had been activated earlier Thursday morning, though Centcom did not confirm any strikes on the Iranian capital. Additional explosions were reported in Iran’s Lorestan and Semnan provinces, according to Mehr via AFP. Iranian state broadcaster Irib, cited by AFP, reported that Iran’s military responded by striking US fuel depots and communications systems with drones, and separate reports indicated an Iranian attack on a US military base in Jordan.
Does This Matter to You?
The reimposed blockade and the strike on MT Belma signal a marked escalation of risk for vessels transiting toward Iranian ports, including Kharg Island, a key oil export terminal. Owners, operators, and charterers with any exposure to Iranian-linked cargo movements or nearby waters may face heightened operational and security risk as enforcement actions continue.
The broader military escalation between the US and Iran also has implications for traffic through the wider Persian Gulf region, an area critical to global oil and bunker fuel flows. Parties monitoring voyage risk in the Strait of Hormuz and surrounding waters should stay alert to further developments, as source material indicates military activity is ongoing on both sides.
Gulf Bunkering does not provide operational or security guidance. This article is for informational purposes only. Operators should consult flag state authorities, P&I clubs, and relevant advisories for decisions relating to transit planning.
Sources: ShippingWatch, Reuters, AFP
