US fires at oil tanker as new Iran blockade begins
The US military has disabled an oil tanker, the Belma, in the Gulf after it ignored warnings while heading toward an Iranian export terminal. This action follows President Trump's decision to reimpose a blockade on Iranian ports amid escalating tensions in the region.
Why it matters
The strike represents a significant escalation in US-Iran relations, directly impacting global oil markets and maritime security in the Strait of Hormuz.
Share Save Add as preferred on Google Thomas Copeland BBC Verify US military footage shows strike on ship in the Gulf The US has attacked an oil tanker in the Gulf, which it said was heading towards Iran's largest oil export terminal, as it reimposed a blockade of Iranian ports.
US Central Command (Centcom) said on Wednesday that Belma "ignored multiple warnings" as it was heading towards the Kharg Island oil terminal and an aircraft disabled the tanker by "firing Hellfire missiles into the ship's smokestack".
President Donald Trump reintroduced a blockade of Iranian ports on Tuesday, in response to a series of alleged Iranian attacks on commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz and days of tit-for-tat strikes by the US and Iran.
He had previously declared a ceasefire "over" following days of escalating attacks.
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