US Central Command announced the redirection of five commercial vessels and disabling of one after resuming a naval blockade on Iran. The USS Donald Cook is enforcing operations in the Arabian Sea. An empty oil tanker, M/T Belma, was disabled after ignoring warnings while heading to Iran's Kharg Island. The blockade resumption follows the collapse of a 14-point MoU, escalating US-Iran tensions.

US Central Command on Saturday stated that American forces have redirected five commercial vessels and disabled one vessel after the resumption of a naval blockade against Iran.

"U.S. forces enforced naval blockade measures against Iran on July 15, by disabling an unladen oil tanker attempting to sail toward an Iranian port in the Arabian Gulf. - CENTCOM"

In a post on X, CENTCOM said US naval forces were continuing to enforce the blockade operations, with the USS Donald Cook (DDG 75) conducting operations in the Arabian Sea.

"USS Donald Cook (DDG 75) transits the Arabian Sea while an MH-60S Sea Hawk flies nearby. American forces continue to strictly enforce the ongoing naval blockade against Iran. As of July 18, CENTCOM has redirected 5 commercial vessels and disabled 1," CENTCOM said.

On Wednesday, CENTCOM said that the American forces disabled an empty oil tanker travelling towards an Iranian port after the vessel allegedly ignored multiple warnings while attempting to violate a naval blockade imposed on the Islamic Republic.

In a statement, CENTCOM said that its forces enforced naval blockade measures against Iran on July 15 by disabling an unladen oil tanker attempting to sail towards an Iranian port in the Arabian Gulf.

"U.S. forces enforced naval blockade measures against Iran on July 15, by disabling an unladen oil tanker attempting to sail toward an Iranian port in the Arabian Gulf," CENTCOM said.

According to the US military command, its forces observed the Curacao-flagged M/T Belma transiting through international waters towards Iran's Kharg Island. The commercial vessel allegedly ignored multiple warnings as it attempted to violate the US blockade.

"A U.S. aircraft disabled the vessel after firing Hellfire missiles into the ship's smokestack. The ship is no longer transiting to Iran," CENTCOM added.