In brief
On Wednesday, US Central Command reported striking the oil tanker Belma with Hellfire missiles as it ignored warnings while headed toward Iran’s Kharg Island terminal. The attack comes after President Trump re‑introduced a blockade of Iranian ports following a series of Iranian attacks on commercial vessels. Between 13 April and 18 June, the US redirected over 140 vessels and disabled nine ships during the blockade; the ceasefire signed on 17 June lifted the blockade and allowed a temporary licence for Iranian oil sales. Analysts estimate Tehran exported at least 74 million barrels worth over $6 billion during the interim, while crossings through the Strait of Hormuz have fallen sharply. A second sanctioned ship, Fuyao, reversed course amid US enforcement, illustrating the wider impact of the renewed restrictions.
US forces struck the oil tanker Belma on Wednesday. Central Command said the ship, bound for Iran’s Kharg Island terminal, ignored multiple warnings and was hit by Hellfire missiles fired into its smokestack.
Renewed blockade – President Donald Trump re‑imposed a blockade of Iranian ports on Tuesday in response to alleged Iranian attacks on commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz. The enforcement, which included redirecting more than 140 ships and disabling nine vessels, had been lifted on 17 June when a ceasefire deal was signed.
Belma’s journey – Tracking data shows Belma entered the Gulf via the Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday, was previously sanctioned under a former name for ties with Iran, and now reported no cargo. The tanker was last located 100 km southeast of Kharg Island on Thursday.
Impact on shipping traffic – During the blockade period, crossings through the critical Strait of Hormuz fell below the pre‑conflict average of 138 per day. Recent figures indicate only 11 ships traversing the strait on the most recent Wednesday, down from 17 on Monday and 16 on Tuesday.
Sanctions and oil sales – The ceasefire also eased long‑standing sanctions by issuing a temporary licence for Iranian oil sales in US dollars. Analysts estimate that between the blockade’s end and its resumption, Iran exported at least 74 million barrels of oil, valued at over $6 billion ($4.4 billion). The licence was revoked last week after Iran launched a series of attacks on ships in the Strait.
Other affected vessels – A tanker named Fuyao, also sanctioned for links with Iran, reversed course after the US blockade enforcement, returning to Iranian waters in the Gulf of Oman. Whether it responded to the blockade is unclear.
The US strike on Belma underscores the heightened tensions in the Gulf, with both sides preparing for further engagement as the blockades and sanctions cycle continue.
