The United States military says it fired a Hellfire missile against a Botswana-flagged oil tanker attempting to sail towards an Iranian port on Tuesday, according to U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM).
In a post on X, CENTCOM said, “U.S. forces disabled an unladen oil tanker that was attempting to sail toward an Iranian port on the Arabian Gulf, June 2. U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) enforced blockade measures against Botswana-flagged M/T Lexie as it transited international waters toward Kharg Island. The ship’s crew ignored repeated warnings, failing to comply with directions from U.S. forces multiple times over a 24-hour period.”
The post added that, “A U.S. aircraft ultimately disabled the vessel by firing a Hellfire missile into the ship’s engine room, preventing the tanker from reaching Iran. CENTCOM began implementing the blockade of all maritime traffic entering and exiting Iranian ports on April 13. U.S. forces have disabled six commercial vessels and redirected 122 as the ceasefire with Iran continues.”
What To Know
The strike comes as President Donald Trump touts ongoing talks with Iran. In a Truth Social post on Tuesday, Trump said that he told Iran, “It’s time, one way or another, for you to make a Deal. You’ve been doing this for 47 years, and it cannot be allowed to go on any longer!”
The U.S. also conducted strikes against Iran last week, targeting their one-way attack drones and, following earlier “self-defense” strikes in southern Iran, targeting missile launch sites and Iranian vessels trying to establish mines.
This is a developing story that will be updated with additional information.
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