US forces disable tanker defying renewed Iran blockade

U.S. forces disabled the Curacao-flagged oil tanker M/T Belma in the Arabian Gulf on Wednesday as part of renewed naval blockade measures targeting Iran. The tanker was heading towards Iran's Kharg Island in international waters and ignored multiple warnings. A U.S. aircraft fired missiles into the vessel's smokestack, preventing it from continuing to Iran. U.S. Central Command stated that enforcement of the blockade resumed on Tuesday at 4 p.m. ET, and in the first 24 hours, two commercial vessels were redirected, while the M/T Belma was disabled for noncompliance. CENTCOM affirmed, "U.S. forces remain vigilant and prepared to ensure full compliance."