Things just got intense in the Strait of Hormuz! 🌊 The US military has confirmed that it fired a Hellfire missile at a Botswana-flagged vessel, the M/T LEXIE, which was reportedly making its way toward Iran.
According to the US Central Command, this wasn't a random strike. The US aircraft issued repeated warnings to the crew, but when those were ignored, the military decided to take a more direct approach. A Hellfire missile was launched, precisely targeting the vessel's engine room to disable the ship. 💥
Leaked radio communications from a crew member on the stranded vessel paint a vivid picture of the encounter. The recordings capture a US aircraft addressing the "LEXIE" shortly before the tanker was reportedly abandoned by its crew. Talk about a high-stress workday! 😱
But why target the LEXIE? It turns out this ship has been on the US Treasury Department's radar for a while. The vessel was added to the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) sanctions list back in March 2025 due to its alleged involvement in the Iranian oil trade. 📉
For those following global markets and geopolitics, the Strait of Hormuz remains one of the most sensitive chokepoints in the world. This latest move by the US highlights the ongoing tension and the strict enforcement of sanctions regarding oil shipments in the region. 🌍💬
Reference(s):
US says it fired missile at Iran-linked tanker near Strait of Hormuz
cgtn.com
