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U.S. Military Disables Iran-Bound Tanker in Arabian Gulf Blockade Operation

The U.S. military fired Hellfire missiles at the Curacao-flagged M/T Belma on Wednesday as the vessel attempted to reach Iran's Kharg Island crude oil terminal in defiance of a naval blockade. The merchant ship ignored multiple warnings while transiting international waters, prompting military intervention that disabled the vessel's smokestack. The blockade, deployed July 14, has redirected two additional compliant commercial vessels. Crude oil futures held steady near $78 per barrel as shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz continues at reduced capacity. The escalation reflects deteriorating relations between Washington and Tehran following the collapse of their ceasefire agreement.