---
title: "US Hellfire missile strikes oil tanker ignoring Iran blockade order"
description: "The US struck the oil tanker M/T Lexie, heading to Iran, with a Hellfire missile. The crew ignored blockade warnings, leading to the vessel being disabled. This is already the sixth ship destroyed since the start of the operation in April. 🚢💥"
date: 2026-06-02T23:40:00.000Z
lang: en
url: https://xab.info/en/posts/us-hellfire-missile-strikes-oil-tanker-ignoring-iran-blockade-order
tags: []
publisher: "XAB.info"
---

# US Hellfire missile strikes oil tanker ignoring Iran blockade order

![Oil tanker in open sea targeted by US Hellfire missile for ignoring Iran blockade order](https://xab.info/media/2026/06/02/ssha-nanesli-udar-po-tankeru-narushivshemu-blokadu-irana/ssha-nanesli-udar-po-tankeru-narushivshemu-blokadu-irana-1.webp)

US military forces struck an oil tanker heading to an Iranian port. The incident occurred on Tuesday, June 2, in international waters of the Persian Gulf. According to the US Central Command (CENTCOM), the vessel was disabled by a Hellfire missile launched from a US aircraft.

### Ignoring warnings and use of force

The target of the strike was the tanker M/T Lexie, flying the flag of Botswana. According to the US side, the vessel was heading towards Harg Island — a strategically important object through which up to 90% of Iran's oil exports pass. The tanker's crew received warnings about the imposition of a blockade, but ignored orders to stop moving towards Iranian ports.

As a result of the refusal to comply with the command's demands, US military forces used weapons. The missile hit the engine room, making further movement of the vessel impossible and preventing it from reaching Iran.

### Blockade statistics and conflict escalation

This is not the first case of the use of force against vessels violating the blockade regime. According to CNN, a similar incident occurred over the weekend. Since the start of the operation in April, US military forces have managed to disable six vessels, and another 122 ships have been diverted to other ports.

Events are developing against the backdrop of heightened tension in the Strait of Hormuz. On the night of May 26, the US attacked Iranian boats and anti-aircraft missile systems that attempted to lay mines and fired at US aircraft. On May 28, a new strike followed on a military facility, which, according to sources, posed a threat to shipping.

Over the weekend, the US Air Force also struck Iranian radars and drone control points in response to the shooting down of its own drone. The series of military actions indicates a rise in tension in the region and the readiness of the parties for a military confrontation.