US strikes first tanker with missiles as it enforces new blockade
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
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. A naval blockade on ships going to or from Iranian ports was in place between 13 April and 18 June.
The US said it redirected more than 140 vessels and disabled nine ships during that time. Both the blockade and key US sanctions on Iranian oil were lifted as part of a ceasefire deal signed on 17 June - and experts estimate Tehran exported at least 74 million barrels of oil worth up to $6bn before they were reimposed.
In addition to the strike on Belma, Centcom said it redirected two other commercial vessels which did comply with its instructions to change course.
The BriefWire