US Disables Oil Tanker Bound for Iran During Gulf Operations

According to the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), Iran fired several ballistic missiles towards neighbouring Gulf countries, although none reached their intended targets. Two missiles aimed at Kuwait reportedly fell short or broke apart mid-flight, while three missiles launched towards Bahrain were intercepted by joint American and Bahraini air defence systems.

CENTCOM also said American forces destroyed three one-way attack drones launched by Iran towards civilian vessels navigating regional waters. The drones were intercepted before reaching their targets.

In response to the attacks, US forces carried out what CENTCOM described as self-defence strikes on an Iranian military ground control station located on Qeshm Island, near the Strait of Hormuz.

The US military stated that no American personnel were injured during the operations and said forces in the region remain on high alert despite the ongoing ceasefire with Iran.

Separately, CENTCOM announced that US forces had disabled an oil tanker attempting to travel towards an Iranian port in the Arabian Gulf.

The vessel, identified as the Botswana-flagged M/T Lexie, was reportedly intercepted while sailing towards Kharg Island. CENTCOM said the ship’s crew ignored repeated warnings and failed to comply with instructions issued by US naval forces over a 24-hour period.

According to the statement, a US aircraft later fired a Hellfire missile into the tanker’s engine room, disabling the vessel and preventing it from reaching Iranian waters.

The operation forms part of a wider maritime blockade imposed by the United States on traffic entering and leaving Iranian ports since 13 April. CENTCOM says six commercial vessels have been disabled and more than 120 redirected as part of the ongoing enforcement measures during the ceasefire period.