US Attacks Empty Oil Tanker Heading Towards Iran in Strait of Hormuz

May 3, Kathmandu – The United States has launched an attack on an empty oil tanker en route to Iran as part of its naval blockade operation in the Strait of Hormuz. According to the US Central Command (CENTCOM), the vessel sailing under the flag of Botswana ignored repeated warnings, prompting a US aircraft to fire a missile at its engine room. CENTCOM released a video on Tuesday showing the moment of the attack on the tanker. So far, Iran has not issued any public response regarding the incident.

In a statement issued by CENTCOM, the US military confirmed that a Botswana-flagged vessel, the M/T Lexus, traveling through international waters towards Kharg Island in Iran was subjected to blockade-related action. The statement noted that the ship’s crew failed to comply with repeated directives from US forces over 24 hours. According to CENTCOM, since the commencement of the blockade, six commercial ships have been rendered inoperable, and an additional 122 vessels have been forced to change their destinations. The US military began enforcing a blockade on all ships entering or leaving Iranian ports starting April 13.