Tuesday, June 2, 2026-The United States has escalated its enforcement of a maritime blockade against Iran by firing a Hellfire missile at an oil tanker that was reportedly heading toward Iran’s key oil export terminal on Kharg Island.
According to U.S. Central Command, the Botswana-flagged tanker M/T Lexie ignored repeated warnings and failed to comply with instructions from U.S. forces over a 24-hour period. The missile strike targeted the vessel’s engine room, disabling the ship without sinking it and preventing it from reaching its destination.
U.S. officials said the action was part of ongoing efforts to enforce restrictions on maritime traffic linked to Iran. The military claims the Lexie is the sixth vessel disabled since the blockade began in April and that more than 120 ships have been redirected away from Iranian ports.
Video released by Central Command showed the precision strike, which Washington described as a controlled operation designed to stop the vessel while minimizing risk to the crew.
The incident has further heightened tensions in the Gulf, where recent exchanges of missile, drone, and air strikes have already strained a fragile ceasefire between Washington and Tehran.
Iran-linked forces have cited previous U.S. actions against shipping as justification for retaliatory attacks, raising concerns that maritime confrontations could trigger a broader regional escalation. With diplomatic talks struggling to gain momentum, the latest strike underscores how quickly events at sea can influence security and energy markets worldwide.
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