US Strikes Gulf Tanker as Iran Port Blockade Reimposed

The US attacked the oil tanker Belma in the Gulf with Hellfire missiles after it allegedly ignored warnings while approaching Kharg Island, disabling the ship as a military aircraft intervened. This occurs as Washington reinstates a blockade of Iranian ports that had been lifted under a ceasefire; two other vessels redirected while Belma reportedly carried no cargo. The move follows a broader reimposition of sanctions and a temporary oil-sale license, with Iran’s exports during the ceasefire estimated at about 74 million barrels (worth over $6 billion). Strait of Hormuz traffic has fallen sharply from pre-conflict levels.