Tipsheet

CENTCOM Disabled a 'Non-Compliant' Vessel in the Arabian Gulf

Amy Curtis
Amy Curtis  |  June 03, 2026 9:00 AM

Last night, Iran launched numerous airstrikes against U.S. bases throughout the Middle East, including in Erbil, Iraq, Bahrain, and Kuwait. Iranian Revolutionary Guard (IRGC) released a statement after launching the strikes, stating that massive, escalating attack on assets located across were made in retaliation for the “arrogance and blatant aggression committed by the terrorist American forces” after the U.S. launched self-defense strikes against Iranian radar and drone capabilities on the island of Qeshm.

Yesterday, CENTCOM also disabled a 'non-compliant' vessel in the Arabian Gulf as part of the ongoing blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.

Here's more from CENTCOM:

U.S. forces disabled an unladen oil tanker that was attempting to sail toward an Iranian port on the Arabian gulf, June 2.

U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) enforced blockade measures against Botswana-flagged M/T Lexie as it transited international waters toward Kharg Island. The ship's crew ignored repeated warnings, failing to comply with directions from U.S. forces multiple times over a 24-hour period.

A U.S. aircraft ultimately disabled the vessel by firing a Hellfire missile into the ship's engine roo, preventing the tanker from reaching Iran.

CENTCOM began implementing the blockade of all maritime traffic entering and exiting Iranian ports on April 13. U.S. forces have disabled six commercial vessels and redirected 122 as the ceasefire with Iran continues.

Secretary of War Pete Hegseth also shared footage of the strike.

The tanker was reportedly sanctioned by the U.S. in March of last year.

The tanker has a long history of violating sanctions, it seems.

That was during the Biden administration, so that tracks.

An interesting observation. Botswana is landlocked between South Africa, Namibia, and Zimbabwe.