US Forces Disable Botswana-Flagged Tanker Approaching Iranian Island
The U.S. military reported the crew of the tanker M/T Lexie ignored repeated warnings over 24 hours before U.S. forces launched a missile at its engine room.
TL;DR
- U.S. forces launched a missile to disable the M/T Lexie, a Botswana-flagged crude oil tanker.
- The tanker was approaching Kharg Island, an Iranian territorial island and oil-loading terminal.
- The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) reported the tanker's crew ignored warnings for 24 hours.
- A U.S. aircraft fired a Hellfire missile into the ship's engine room, preventing it from reaching Iran.