US Military Strikes Oil Tanker Near Kharg Island Amid Escalating Naval Blockade
The US military has escalated its naval blockade on Iran, striking an oil tanker near Kharg Island and disabling another vessel that tried to breach the blockade. The STARK 1, an Iranian-flagged crude tanker owned by the National Iranian Tanker Company, was warned during operations in the area.
CENTCOM reimposed its blockade on July 14, targeting vessels transiting to and from Iranian ports. Within the first 24 hours, the Curacao-flagged tanker M/T Belma was disabled by US Hellfire missiles after ignoring repeated warnings as it attempted to breach the blockade.
The strike near Kharg Island marks one of the most direct confrontations between US and Iranian maritime interests in years, centered on the tiny island that handles roughly 90% of Iran's crude oil exports. Brent crude surged above $85 per barrel as the confrontation unfolded.