Illustrative image. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Brian Ferguson).
United States forces disabled an oil tanker attempting to reach Iran after it ignored repeated warnings, Central Command (CENTCOM) announced late on July 15.
In a statement, the command said its forces observed the Curaçao-flagged Belma transiting international waters toward Kharg Island — Iran’s primary economic lifeline and the beating heart of its oil empire, processing approximately 90 precent of the country’s crude oil exports through its deep-water terminals.
The commercial vessel ignored multiple warnings as it attempted to violate the U.S. blockade, according to the command, which added that a U.S. aircraft disabled the vessel after firing Hellfire missiles into the ship’s smokestack.
“U.S. forces remain vigilant and prepared to ensure full compliance,” CENTCOM concluded.
U.S. forces resumed the naval blockade against vessels transiting to or from Iranian ports and coastal areas a day earlier, and since then CENTCOM has announced redirecting two compliant commercial vessels and disabling one non-compliant vessel.
President Donald Trump’s decision to reinstate the blockade on Iran came following several days of clashes with the Islamic Republic. The decision violates a key term of the memorandum of understanding signed last month to end the war.
The current confrontation, which mainly revolves around the Strait of Hormuz, marks the most serious escalation since the deal came into effect.
More escalation is to be expected. The Wall Street Journal reported on July 15 that Trump is leaning toward further expanding U.S. military operations in Iran after huddling with top aides in the Situation Room a day earlier. Options discussed include intensified strikes, deploying ground troops to seize Iranian territory near the Strait of Hormuz, or bombing the Pickaxe Mountain nuclear site, according to the report.
Trump hasn’t made a final decision on the matter, but some U.S. officials told the Journal that he is reluctant to deploy ground troops after walking back previous threats to seize Kharg Island.
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tehran will fall…very soon…heheheh