United States Disables Iranian-Bound Tanker with Hellfire Missile in Strait of Hormuz Blockade

The United States military has struck and disabled an unladen oil tanker that was sailing toward Iran, marking the latest enforcement of Washington’s naval blockade on the Strait of Hormuz. US Central Command said a US aircraft fired a Hellfire missile into the engine room of the Botswana-flagged vessel after its crew ignored repeated warnings. The military released video footage purportedly showing the moment the tanker was hit on Tuesday.

Blockade Enforcement and Vessel Details

US Central Command reported that its forces “enforced blockade measures against Botswana-flagged M/T Lexie as it transited international waters toward Kharg Island.” The ship’s crew failed “to comply with directions from US forces multiple times over a 24-hour period,” according to the command’s statement. The US military began enforcing its blockade of all vessels entering and exiting Iranian ports on 13 April.

Military Action and Visual Evidence

A US aircraft fired a Hellfire missile into the engine room of the tanker, disabling the vessel. US Central Command released footage that it says shows the exact moment the tanker was struck. Iran has not publicly commented on the incident. The BBC has contacted Botswana’s government for comment regarding the status of the vessel and its crew.

Broader Impact of the Blockade

Since the blockade went into force, US Central Command said a total of six commercial vessels have been disabled and another 122 redirected away from Iranian ports. The command described the operation as part of a broader effort to enforce Washington’s naval blockade on the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for global oil shipping. The M/T Lexie was described as an unladen oil tanker, meaning it was not carrying cargo at the time of the strike.

Context

The current blockade follows a series of escalating maritime interdictions in the Persian Gulf region, where the US has sought to enforce sanctions against Iranian oil exports. In previous incidents, the US military has intercepted vessels suspected of transporting Iranian crude oil to foreign buyers, often using similar warning procedures before resorting to disabling fire. The Strait of Hormuz remains a flashpoint for military confrontation between US and Iranian forces, with both sides frequently conducting patrols and interdiction operations in the waterway.