The U.S. Central Command reports that a Hellfire missile struck the engine room of the Botswana-flagged tanker M/T Lexie on June 2, 2026, disabling it after the crew ignored warnings. This marks the sixth vessel disabled since the U.S. began its blockade of Iran on April 13, with a total of 122 vessels redirected so far.
The United States military has intensified its maritime interdiction operations against Iran, disabling another oil tanker in the Gulf. On June 2, 2026, a U.S. aircraft fired a Hellfire missile at the Botswana-flagged M/T Lexie, striking its engine room and rendering it dead in the water.
The incident was captured on video and released by U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM). The vessel was reportedly heading toward Iran when it was intercepted. According to CENTCOM, the crew of the Lexie ignored repeated warnings over a 24-hour period and failed to comply with instructions from U.S. forces. The strike prevented the tanker from reaching its intended destination.
This action marks the sixth ship that the U.S. military has physically disabled since the start of a de facto blockade against Iran on April 13, 2026. In addition to these disabling actions, U.S. forces have successfully redirected 122 vessels that were seeking to enter or exit Iranian ports, demonstrating a sustained effort to restrict maritime traffic to and from the Islamic Republic.
The operation is part of a broader campaign by the United States to apply economic and logistical pressure on Iran, escalating tensions in the region. The use of a Hellfire missile, typically employed in precision strikes against ground targets, underscores the U.S. military's willingness to employ kinetic force to enforce its maritime directives. The incident raises questions about the legal basis for such actions in international waters and the potential for miscalculation that could lead to a wider conflict.
The tanker's flag state, Botswana, and the vessel's owners have not yet issued a public statement regarding the attack. The international community, particularly major oil-consuming nations and shipping conglomerates, is likely to scrutinize the implications for global energy security and the safety of commercial shipping lanes.
This event adds another layer of complexity to already volatile U.S.-Iran relations, which have been strained by issues including Iran's nuclear program, its support for regional proxy forces, and repeated attacks on commercial vessels in the region. The U.S. Central Command maintains that its actions are defensive and necessary to protect American interests and ensure freedom of navigation, though critics argue such unilateral military measures risk escalating tensions and destabilizing the crucial Persian Gulf transit corridor for oil shipments
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