Multiple OSINT sources report US forces disabled the Curaçao-flagged tanker M/T Belma with Hellfire missiles near Iran's Kharg Island on July 15, citing…
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Multiple open-source intelligence outlets reported on July 15 that U.S. Central Command forces disabled the Curaçao-flagged oil tanker M/T Belma with AGM-114 Hellfire missiles near Iran's Kharg Island in the Arabian Gulf. The reports, citing statements attributed to CENTCOM, claim the unladen vessel ignored repeated warnings while attempting to reach Iran's primary oil export terminal in violation of a U.S. naval blockade. According to the quoted CENTCOM statements, a U.S. aircraft fired Hellfire missiles into the vessel's smokestack, rendering it inoperable and preventing it from continuing to Iran. The incident allegedly marks the first commercial vessel struck near Kharg Island since the blockade resumed on July 14, and the 10th non-compliant vessel disabled across both blockade operations. During the first 24 hours of the renewed blockade, U.S. forces reportedly redirected two compliant commercial vessels away from Iranian ports. These reports remain unconfirmed by official CENTCOM releases to mainstream media, and no independent verification from Iranian authorities is available. The U.S. reimposed its naval blockade on Iran on July 14, escalating tensions in the Gulf region.
Sources: 1. englishabuali (ev_3d83647da93243ed) 2. Alsaa_plus_EN (ev_158cb74ac1ea98cb) 3. GeoPWatch (ev_f3f6afb91eeef899) 4. osintlive (ev_efaebf64a95f312f) 5. rnintel (ev_804efb905e74d902) 6. DefenderDome (ev_6af9ad27887f39ef) 7.