On July 15, local time, the US Central Command said that the US military detected that the oil tanker “Belma” flying the Curacao flag was sailing through international waters to Iran's Khark Island. The merchant ship tried to violate the US blockade order and ignored warnings several times. A US military aircraft fired a “Hellfire” missile at the ship's chimney, rendering it incapable of navigation. Currently, the ship has stopped sailing to Iran. The US military resumed maritime blockade against ships traveling to and from Iranian ports and coastal areas at 4 p.m. EST on July 14. The US military said it will maintain a high level of vigilance and is ready to ensure that the blockade measures are fully implemented.

On July 15, local time, the US Central Command said that the US military detected that the oil tanker “Belma” flying the Curacao flag was sailing through international waters to Iran's Khark Island. The merchant ship tried to violate the US blockade order and ignored warnings several times. A US military aircraft fired a “Hellfire” missile at the ship's chimney, rendering it incapable of navigation. Currently, the ship has stopped sailing to Iran. The US military resumed maritime blockade against ships traveling to and from Iranian ports and coastal areas at 4 p.m. EST on July 14. The US military said it will maintain a high level of vigilance and is ready to ensure that the blockade measures are fully implemented.