---
title: "Hellfire missile and empty tanker: US disables vessel ignoring Iran blockade"
description: "The US launched a missile strike on the tanker M/T Lexie, which attempted to violate the maritime blockade of Iran 🚢💥. The vessel flying the flag of Botswana was disabled by a Hellfire missile after ignoring warnings. The incident occurred against the backdrop of unfinished ceasefire negotiations and the introduction of strict control over shipping in the Strait of Hormuz 🇺🇸🇮🇷."
date: 2026-06-03T10:21:40.000Z
lang: en
url: https://xab.info/en/posts/hellfire-missile-and-empty-tanker-us-disables-vessel-ignoring-iran-blockade
tags: []
publisher: "XAB.info"
---

# Hellfire missile and empty tanker: US disables vessel ignoring Iran blockade

![Thermal image of Hellfire missile strike on tanker violating Iran blockade](https://xab.info/media/2026/06/03/missile-strike-on-iran-bound-tanker-us-blockade/missile-strike-on-iran-bound-tanker-us-blockade-1.webp)

An incident in the Persian Gulf has once again heightened attention on maritime security in the region. US military officials have officially confirmed that they struck an oil tanker heading to an Iranian port. The vessel was hit by a Hellfire missile and subsequently lost propulsion.

### Target of the strike: Tanker under the flag of Botswana

According to the US Central Command (CENTCOM), the incident occurred on June 2. An empty oil tanker, the M/T Lexie, flying the flag of Botswana, came under the scrutiny of US forces. The vessel was in international waters and moving towards Harg Island, which was interpreted as an attempt to enter an Iranian port.

The US side asserts that the ship's crew ignored repeated warnings. Over the course of 24 hours, the tanker failed to comply with US military instructions. Consequently, force was used: a US aircraft fired a Hellfire missile directly into the engine room. The strike was precise and achieved its objective—the tanker was disabled and unable to continue its journey to the Iranian coast.

### Context: Maritime blockade and ceasefire

US actions regarding the M/T Lexie are not an isolated case. In a statement, the military command reminded that a full blockade of maritime traffic entering and leaving Iranian ports was implemented on April 13. The paradox of the situation is that these strict measures are being applied against the backdrop of an ongoing ceasefire with Iran.

Statistics provided by US military personnel demonstrate the scale of the operation:

- Six commercial vessels have been disabled;

- 122 vessels attempting to violate the blockade regime have been diverted.

Despite the risks associated with Iran's actions, in recent weeks US armed forces have actively coordinated the passage of dozens of merchant vessels through the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, ensuring shipping in the region.

### Political background: Incomplete negotiations

Military actions at sea are taking place against a backdrop of complex diplomatic processes. US Vice President JD Vance stated on May 28 that Washington and Tehran were on the verge of signing a memorandum of understanding. However, according to him, the document has not yet received final approval from the US President.

Over the weekend, unofficial reports emerged that Donald Trump intends to make changes to the text of the agreement. This creates uncertainty in the negotiation process, against which the escalation of tension at sea is occurring, including the use of missile weapons against civilian merchant vessels.