US Attacks Oil Tanker Near Iran; Curaçao Registration Disputed
The U.S. military reports attacking an oil tanker sailing under a disputed Curaçao flag, which was en route to an Iranian port. The U.S. military command for the Middle East (Centcom) stated that the unladen tanker ignored multiple warnings and attempted to breach a U.S.-imposed blockade of Iranian ports and coastal areas. According to Centcom, the tanker, identified as the Belma, was sailing in international waters towards Kharg Island, a significant hub for Iran's oil industry. A U.S. aircraft fired Hellfire missiles at the ship's chimney, preventing its journey to Iran. The U.S. military recently reinstated its blockade of vessels heading to or from Iranian ports and coastal areas. Centcom indicated that in the initial 24 hours of this renewed blockade, two merchant ships altered course after receiving warnings. Centcom also shared footage on X purportedly showing the attack on the tanker. Iran has not yet responded to the U.S. statement.
Dick Drayer, a Caribbean correspondent, noted that the Dutch government stated in September 2025 that no oil tankers were registered in Curaçao. The cabinet indicated that tankers presenting themselves as Curaçaoan ships are likely using fraudulent flag or registration data. The Maritime Authority of Curaçao confirmed that the Belma cannot legally fly the Curaçaoan flag, as the registry does not include tankers. This misuse of the Curaçaoan flag has been an ongoing issue, with dozens of tankers falsely claiming Curaçaoan, Aruban, or Sint Maarten registration in 2025. These vessels have been linked to the Russian and Iranian shadow fleets and efforts to evade international sanctions. In March 2026, the sanctioned tanker Lan Jing was also listed as Curaçaoan in international shipping data, despite not being officially registered. The Kingdom's countries have since agreed to enhance cooperation in combating false ship registrations.
The incident highlights the complex geopolitical and regulatory challenges surrounding international shipping, particularly concerning sanctions evasion and the use of shadow fleets. The U.S. military's action, while framed as enforcing a blockade, intersects with disputes over the tanker's registration, suggesting potential exploitation of flag registries by entities seeking to circumvent international sanctions. The repeated instances of vessels falsely claiming registration from Dutch Caribbean territories point to systemic vulnerabilities in maritime registration processes. This situation underscores the need for enhanced international cooperation and robust verification mechanisms to ensure compliance with sanctions and prevent the illicit use of maritime transport. Future efforts will likely focus on strengthening regulatory oversight and information sharing among nations to mitigate such risks.
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