Screengrab from X video posted by US Centcom The United States has disabled a commercial oil tanker that was allegedly heading to an Iranian port after it ignored repeated warnings. It is the first publicly announced case of a merchant vessel being disabled since Washington resumed its naval blockade on Iran. US Central Command (CENTCOM) said the Curaçao-flagged M/T Belma was sailing through international waters in the Arabian Gulf towards Kharg Island, Iran’s main oil export terminal, on July 15. According to the military, the unladen tanker failed to respond to multiple warnings before a US aircraft fired AGM-114 Hellfire missiles into its smokestack, disabling the vessel without sinking it. “The commercial vessel ignored multiple warnings as it attempted to violate the US blockade,” CENTCOM said, adding that the ship “is no longer transiting to Iran.” The action came a day after the United States resumed its naval blockade on vessels travelling to or from Iranian ports and coastal areas at 4 p.m. ET on July 14 as part of its efforts to increase military and economic pressure on Tehran following renewed hostilities despite last month’s ceasefire. https://t.co/s9T2FJxa7D — U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) July 15, 2026 CENTCOM said that during the first 24 hours of enforcement, US forces encountered three commercial vessels. Two ships complied with instructions and changed course, while M/T Belma was disabled after allegedly ignoring repeated warnings. The US military said the tanker was not carrying cargo. It did not disclose the vessel’s current location, whether any crew members were injured, or provide further details about the ship’s ownership or voyage. The renewed blockade targets commercial vessels travelling to or from Iranian ports and coastal areas. According to the United States, the measures are intended to restrict Iran’s ability to sustain military operations and export oil. Tensions continue to ri