In a significant move to enforce sanctions and maintain maritime security, the US military disabled an Iran-linked oil tanker near the strategic Strait of Hormuz this past Tuesday. The operation targeted a Botswana-flagged vessel identified as the M/T LEXIE.
According to US Central Command, a US military aircraft fired a Hellfire missile at the vessel's engine room, successfully disabling the ship. The military stated that the action was taken only after the crew ignored repeated warnings to comply with instructions. Following the strike, reports indicate that the tanker was abandoned by its crew.
The M/T LEXIE has been under scrutiny for over a year, having been added to the sanctions list of the US Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control in March 2025. The vessel was flagged for its alleged involvement in the Iranian oil trade, which is subject to strict international restrictions.
The incident was further highlighted by radio communication recordings, in which a US aircraft is heard addressing the LEXIE prior to the engagement. This operation underscores the ongoing tensions in the region and the US military's commitment to disrupting sanctioned trade routes in one of the world's most critical shipping lanes.
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US says it fired missile at Iran-linked tanker near Strait of Hormuz
cgtn.com
