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US Hits Sixth Vessel, M/T Lexie Disabled Amid Iran Blockade

6/3/2026

27 6 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

U.S. forces fired a Hellfire missile at the Botswana-flagged tanker M/T Lexie on June 2, disabling its engine room.
U.S. Central Command said the crew ignored repeated warnings before the strike.
The attack marked the sixth commercial vessel the United States has disabled since the blockade began on April 13.
President Donald Trump is using the blockade to pressure Iran, while officials report that 122 vessels have been redirected.

History

Historical Context

After UN Security Council Resolution 598 was adopted on 20 July 1987, the United States launched Operation Earnest Will (24 July 1987–26 September 1988) to shield Kuwaiti oil tankers from Iranian attacks. U.S. Central Command organized 13 convoy missions, escorting 79 tankers at a cost of $1.2 billion, marking the largest naval escort since World War II in the Persian Gulf.

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Story summary

U.S. forces fired a Hellfire missile at the Botswana-flagged tanker M/T Lexie on June 2, disabling its engine room.
U.S. Central Command said the crew ignored repeated warnings before the strike.
The attack marked the sixth commercial vessel the United States has disabled since the blockade began on April 13.
President Donald Trump is using the blockade to pressure Iran, while officials report that 122 vessels have been redirected.

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