The strike hit far closer to Iran’s coast than any before it, raising fears that Washington is widening its naval squeeze on Tehran.

A US aircraft fired on the supertanker Belma early Thursday as it sailed toward Iran’s Kharg Island oil terminal. The tanker was empty, under US sanctions, and had ignored repeated warnings to turn back.

Key Details

Central Command confirmed the strike in a social media post, calling it the first hit on a vessel since Washington reimposed its shipping blockade this week. The Belma had been heading north toward Kharg late Wednesday, veered slightly northwest, then made a sharp turn away from the island once it was struck.

The blockade took effect Tuesday at 4 p.m. Washington time. In its first 24 hours, Centcom said it redirected two cooperative commercial ships and disabled one that refused to comply.

Market Reaction

Traffic through the Strait of Hormuz stayed thin Thursday. One sanctioned gas carrier left the region with its transponder on, while a bulk carrier hauling soybean meal entered the Gulf bound for Iran. The Navy said it will keep letting food, medicine, and humanitarian goods through once vessels are cleared.

Why It Matters

This strike happened well beyond the Strait of Hormuz, suggesting the US may be extending its blockade deeper into the Gulf. Analysts say it still fits Washington’s original goal: cutting off Iran’s coastline entirely. Kharg Island has loaded at least 11 oil and petrochemical shipments since June’s ceasefire, and a supertanker was seen loading crude there just on Wednesday.

Watch for Iran’s response and whether more tankers test the blockade near Kharg. The IEA has warned weeks, not months, remain before prolonged disruption hits the global economy.

Stay ahead of every market-moving headline with QuoMarkets.

Source: Yahoo Finance 

Time: 2:00 PM