US forces ensured the enforcement of the maritime blockade of Iran… (сша · судно · блокада)
US forces ensured the enforcement of the maritime blockade of Iran and on July 15 disabled an empty oil tanker attempting to proceed to an Iranian port in the Persian Gulf. The US struck an oil tanker that was trying to breach Iran's naval blockade.
Consensus
- The U.S. military attacked the oil tanker M/T Belma under the flag of Curaçao in international waters of the Persian Gulf.
- The tanker was empty and attempting to reach Kharg Island, Iran's main oil terminal.
- The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) stated that the vessel ignored multiple warnings before being targeted.
- An American aircraft disabled the ship by firing Hellfire missiles into its smokestack.
- The attack occurred on July 16, following the resumption of a maritime blockade against Iranian ports by the United States.
- CENTCOM reported that within the first 24 hours of the blockade's renewal, two compliant ships were redirected and one non-compliant ship (the Belma) was disabled.
- The tanker is no longer heading toward Iran.
Points of divergence
- U.S. forces began a new wave of strikes against Iran, with explosions reported in several Iranian regions including Bandar Abbas, Ahvaz, and Chabahar late Wednesday evening. — fontanka
- A missile struck near the Shahid Baghai Children's Hospital in Ahvaz, leading to temporary evacuation of patients and families; nearby homes were damaged and windows broken. — fontanka
- President Donald Trump announced the resumption of the maritime blockade on July 13. — vesti
- The U.S. military blockage was officially resumed at 16:00 Eastern Time (23:00 Moscow time) on July 16. — interfax
Coverage (4 sources)
- US attacked a tanker bound for Iran in the Persian Gulf — Коммерсантъ
- US Army struck an empty tanker heading to an Iranian port — Вести
- US Military Strikes a Tanker Heading for an Iranian Port — Интерфакс
- US strikes oil tanker attempting to break through Iran's blockade — Фонтанка