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US Forces Redirect 5 Commercial Vessels, Disable 1 After Resumption of Naval Blockade on Iran

CENTCOM said U.S. aircraft struck the tanker’s smokestack with Hellfire missiles, and the vessel is no longer heading toward Iran.

  • On Saturday, U.S. Central Command announced the resumption of a naval blockade against Iran, confirming forces have redirected five commercial vessels and disabled one ship.
  • Tensions escalated following the collapse of a 14-point MoU aimed at ending hostilities, which renewed conflict across West Asia and heightened maritime security risks in the Strait of Hormuz.
  • U.S. forces disabled the Curacao-flagged M/T Belma on July 15 after observing it transit toward Iran's Kharg Island, firing Hellfire missiles into the ship's smokestack.
  • Operating in the Arabian Sea, the destroyer USS Donald Cook continues to enforce blockade operations, ensuring vessels are no longer transiting toward Iranian ports.
  • Retaliatory strikes targeting American bases across the Gulf have led the Islamic Republic to vow further disruption of energy routes, underscoring persistent risks to critical infrastructure.
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Crypto Briefing broke the news on Saturday, July 18, 2026.
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