US forces disabled an empty oil tanker on Tuesday after it ignored repeated warnings and tried to sail towards an Iranian port in the Arabian Gulf, US Central Command said.
A US aircraft fired a Hellfire missile into the engine room of the Botswana-flagged M/T Lexie, preventing it from reaching Kharg Island, CentCom said in a statement.
Get Updated Faster & FREE: Download the Gulf News app now – just click here.
The vessel was transiting in international waters when it failed to comply with the instructions over a 24-hour period.
The US military has imposed a blockade on maritime traffic entering and leaving Iranian ports since April 13.
Officials said US forces have disabled six merchant vessels and diverted 122 others as the truce with Iran continues.
The incident comes amid ongoing efforts to limit Iran’s access to oil exports. In the statement, no injuries were immediately reported.
— US Central Command (@CENTCOM) June 2, 2026
