CENTCOM confirmed the strike followed the vessel’s attempt to approach Iran’s primary export terminal in the Persian Gulf. The tanker performed a sharp evasive turn after the hit, according to vessel-tracking data, effectively ending its transit. This operation follows a broader U.S. move to enforce a naval blockade against ships moving to or from Iranian ports, a policy revived in response to recurring interference with commercial traffic in the Strait of Hormuz.
U.S. Forces Disable Iran-Linked Tanker Near Kharg Island
A U.S. aircraft disabled the Curacao-flagged M/T Belma near Kharg Island on Thursday, firing Hellfire missiles into the tanker’s smokestack after the vessel ignored warnings to halt. The strike marks the first direct American engagement against an Iran-linked ship since the naval blockade was reinstated this week.
The escalation has triggered immediate volatility in energy markets. Brent crude climbed above $85 per barrel, while WTI surpassed $80 as traders braced for potential supply disruptions. Analysts at ING warned that the timing is particularly precarious, noting that significant inventory drawdowns throughout the second quarter have left global markets increasingly sensitive to regional instability and transit delays in the Strait.
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