The United States said it has struck and disabled an oil tanker that was sailing toward Iran as part of its ongoing naval blockade in the Strait of Hormuz. According to US Central Command (CENTCOM), a US aircraft fired a Hellfire missile into the engine room of the Botswana-flagged M/T Lexie after the vessel's crew allegedly ignored repeated warnings from American forces. CENTCOM said the tanker was transiting international waters toward Iran's Kharg Island when it was targeted.

The US military also released footage that it said showed the moment the tanker was struck. Iran has not publicly commented on the incident.

CENTCOM said the blockade, which began on April 13, is aimed at enforcing restrictions on vessels entering and exiting Iranian ports. The command stated that the crew of the M/T Lexie failed to comply with directions from US forces multiple times over a 24-hour period.

According to CENTCOM, six commercial vessels have been disabled and another 122 redirected since the blockade took effect.

The tanker strike came amid a sharp escalation in tensions between the US and Iran. Iranlaunched a fresh waveof missile and drone attacks across the Middle East, triggering air raid sirens in Kuwait and Bahrain. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said the attacks were retaliation for what it described as "blatant aggression" by US forces targeting Qeshm Island.

In a statement, the IRGC claimed it carried out "precise and intensive missile strikes" on US military bases in Kuwait and warned that any further aggression would be met with a "crushing and decisive response."

Kuwait's military said it was responding to missile and drone attacks, while Bahrain activated warning sirens and urged residents to move to safe locations.

Meanwhile, CENTCOM said US and partner forces intercepted multiple Iranian missiles and drones. The command stated that two missiles fired toward Kuwait failed to reach their targets, while three missiles launched at Bahrain were intercepted by US and Bahraini air defense systems.

The US military also said it conducted self-defense strikes on Qeshm Island and remains prepared to respond to further threats during the ongoing ceasefire.

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