U.S. military forces fired missiles to disable a Botswana-flagged oil tanker attempting to reach Iran's Kharg Island in the Strait of Hormuz [1], [2].
The strike underscores the escalating tension surrounding the U.S. naval blockade of Iranian ports. By targeting vessels that attempt to bypass these restrictions, the U.S. is signaling a zero-tolerance policy toward ships ignoring warnings in international waters.
U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said the vessel, identified as the M/T Lexie, was targeted after it ignored repeated warnings to stop [1], [2]. The military used two Hellfire missiles to cripple the tanker [1]. The operation took place on Thursday, June 25, 2026, within international waters [1], [3].
According to CENTCOM, the vessel was attempting to bypass the blockade to deliver cargo to Kharg Island [1], [2]. The use of precision missiles was intended to disable the ship's propulsion, and navigation systems without sinking the vessel entirely [2].
However, reports regarding the incident vary. While CENTCOM said U.S. forces disabled the ship, a CNN report cited a U.S. official who said the vessel was hit by an Iranian drone [3]. This contradiction suggests a potential fog of war or conflicting intelligence regarding the exact nature of the strike in the congested waters of the Strait of Hormuz.
The M/T Lexie is a Botswana-flagged tanker [2]. The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the most volatile maritime chokepoints in the world, where the U.S. maintains a significant presence to monitor and enforce sanctions against Iran [1].
“U.S. military forces fired missiles to disable a Botswana-flagged oil tanker attempting to reach Iran's Kharg Island.”
The disabling of the M/T Lexie demonstrates the U.S. military's willingness to use kinetic force to maintain its naval blockade of Iranian ports. The conflicting reports between CENTCOM and other U.S. officials regarding whether a missile or a drone was responsible highlight the high level of instability and potential for miscalculation in the Strait of Hormuz, where multiple actors are operating simultaneously.
