US Cripples Ship Attempting to Breach Iranian Port Blockade
The United States has once again increased pressure on Iran. US forces fired missiles at an oil tanker accused of violating the blockade of Iranian ports on Tuesday (2/6) local time.
The attack targeted a vessel flying the flag of Botswana. The US Central Command (CENTCOM) stated that the empty oil tanker, M/T Lexie, attempted to sail towards an Iranian port despite receiving repeated warnings over a 24-hour period. Due to the failure to heed these instructions, the US military ultimately took military action.
In its statement, CENTCOM noted that a US fighter jet fired a Hellfire missile that struck the ship’s engine room, rendering the vessel unable to operate. “The ship ignored numerous warnings delivered over a 24-hour period. Ultimately, US military aircraft disabled the ship by firing a Hellfire missile into its engine room,” CENTCOM stated. The US military did not clarify whether there were any casualties or injuries resulting from the attack.
This latest incident adds to the list of vessels intercepted by Washington since the blockade of Iranian ports was implemented in mid-April. According to US military data, six ships have been intercepted or disabled so far for attempting to breach the blockade. Last week, the US also disabled a Gambian-flagged cargo ship for similar violations. Previously, two Iranian-flagged tankers were targeted with gunfire to their funnels on 8 May, while another Iranian vessel was disabled two days prior after a US fighter jet used a 20mm cannon on its steering mechanism.
Tensions in the region have escalated since Iran effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz. In response, Washington announced a blockade of Iranian ports after Pakistani-mediated peace negotiations failed to achieve a breakthrough in April.
Moody’s economist Mark Zandi has warned of the risk of a US recession if a peace agreement with Iran fails. Oil prices have surged due to the threat of a closure of the Strait of Hormuz. Meanwhile, Oman faces diplomatic pressure from the US, with President Trump threatening sanctions or airstrikes if Oman supports Iranian ship levies in the Strait.
Iran has suspended peace talks with the US following intense Israeli attacks in Lebanon. Donald Trump claimed negotiations are still progressing rapidly despite the heating situation. Iran has issued a stern warning to the US and Israel, stating Tehran is prepared to respond militarily if attacks on Lebanon do not cease.
Crude oil prices surged by up to 8.5% after Iran halted peace talks following the escalation of Israeli attacks in Lebanon. Maritime intelligence firm Windward AI has revealed secret Iranian offshore networks used to move 20 million barrels of oil to evade the strict US blockade. The IMF has expressed serious concerns regarding global supply chain disruptions due to the halt in traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital artery for global energy distribution. The Chinese government has also issued sharp criticism of the United States’ blockade of Iranian ports in the Strait of Hormuz.