.png)
U.S. forces have disabled the sanctioned oil tanker M/T Lexie (IMO: 9203277) while it was attempting to reach Iran, according to U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM).
The Botswana-flagged vessel was transiting international waters toward Khark Island (LOCODE: IRKHK) when it allegedly failed to respond to repeated warnings from U.S. forces over a 24-hour period.
A U.S. aircraft subsequently fired a Hellfire missile into the tanker’s engine room, disabling the vessel and preventing it from continuing its voyage.
No injuries were reported following the incident.
The vessel has been identified as LEXI (also reported as LEXIE), with IMO number 9203277.
The tanker was sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) in March 2025.
According to the report, the vessel had allegedly been involved in transporting Iranian crude oil through ship-to-ship transfers and was linked to Sea Services Providers NV, a company based in Suriname.
The tanker was described as part of a so-called “shadow fleet” used to move oil exports despite sanctions.
The incident marks the sixth commercial vessel disabled since the United States imposed a maritime blockade on Iran on April 13.
According to CENTCOM, U.S. forces have also redirected 122 vessels during blockade enforcement operations.
A previous case involved the cargo vessel Lian Star, which was disabled after reportedly ignoring more than 20 warnings while heading toward an Iranian port.
.png)
.png)
.png)
.png)
