US Launches Hellfire Missile, Disables Tanker Bound for Iran's Kharg Island
US Military Intercepts and Disables Oil Tanker in International Waters
The US military has successfully intercepted and disabled the Botswana-registered oil tanker M/T Lexie in international waters, after the vessel allegedly continued heading towards Iran's Kharg Island despite multiple warnings. According to US Central Command (CENTCOM), American forces launched a Hellfire missile at the tanker while it was operating near a major oil-export route in the Arabian Gulf.
The strike was intended to stop the vessel from reaching the Iranian port, as part of ongoing US efforts to restrict maritime traffic linked to Iran. CENTCOM stated that the tanker was not carrying cargo at the time and repeatedly disregarded instructions from US forces over the course of a day, despite numerous attempts to redirect the vessel.
The incident is part of a broader maritime enforcement effort launched on April 13, when the US military began enforcing a blockade affecting ships traveling to and from Iranian ports. US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth later shared footage of the operation on social media platform X, showing the moment a US aircraft targeted the ship.
The operation has so far resulted in six commercial vessels being disabled and another 122 ships being diverted from their original routes, according to CENTCOM. The campaign has continued even as a ceasefire remains in place with Iran.
In a separate development, Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) confirmed that its container ship Sariska V was hit by two projectiles while docked at the Iraqi port of Umm Qasr on Monday. Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) later announced that it had carried out the strike, alleging that the Sariska V was a US-owned vessel. However, MSC strongly denied the claim, calling the attack unjustified and rejecting any suggestion that the company has ties to either the United States or Israel.
| Shipping Company | Number of Ships Disabled | Number of Ships Diverted |
|---|---|---|
| M/T Lexie | 1 | 0 |
| Sariska V | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 6 | 122 |
Investor Takeaway
Global tensions may escalate, impacting oil prices and maritime trade.
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