CENTCOM said Hellfire missiles hit the Curacao-flagged tanker’s smokestack on July 15, 2026, as the U.S. enforced a renewed blockade during broader strikes on Iran that disrupted Gulf shipping and lifted oil prices.
A U.S. military strike disabled the M/T Belma in the Arabian Gulf on July 15, 2026, after the vessel failed to comply with a renewed U.S. naval blockade aimed at constraining Iranian oil exports. US Central Command said Hellfire missiles hit the Curacao-flagged tanker’s smokestack rather than its hull, knocking out propulsion without sinking the ship or causing a spill near Kharg Island, Iran’s main oil export hub. In a later update, CENTCOM said that during the first three days of renewed implementation U.S. forces redirected four commercial vessels, disabled one and boarded one to enforce compliance, indicating the Belma was the disabled vessel previously reported on the blockade’s first day. The tanker had been flagged on sanctions watchlists. The action unfolded as the U.S. said it had completed a seventh straight night of strikes on Iran, while Iran reported counter-actions in the Strait of Hormuz and Kuwait and Bahrain said they faced Iranian attacks. Oil prices rose sharply, with Brent settling at $88.10 a barrel and WTI at $82.49 on Friday, both about 16% higher for the week. CryptoBriefing said sustained energy-price increases could indirectly pressure Bitcoin mining economics, especially for operators without long-term power contracts.