US Forces Disable Botswana-Flagged Tanker Approaching Iranian Island

The U.S. military reported the crew of the tanker M/T Lexie ignored repeated warnings over 24 hours before U.S. forces launched a missile at its engine room.

Smoke billows along the side of the Botswana-flagged crude oil tanker M/T Lexie, after being struck by a hellfire missile fired by a U.S. aircraft. U.S. Central Command

U.S. forces launched a missile to disable a commercial vessel approaching an Iranian island on June 2, as part of the ongoing blockade of Iranian ports and maritime trade.

The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) announced it had observed the Botswana-flagged crude oil tanker M/T Lexie approaching Kharg Island, an Iranian territorial island and key oil-loading terminal located at the northern end of the Persian Gulf. CENTCOM said the tanker’s crew ignored repeated warnings over a 24-hour period as it approached the island.