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US fires missile at tanker attempting to reach Iran amid strait of Hormuz standoff
TL;DR
US forces fired a missile at the tanker M/T Lexie, disabling it as it attempted to breach a blockade and reach Iran. This incident occurs amid ongoing tensions in the strait of Hormuz and efforts for a ceasefire with Tehran.
Key points
- US forces fired a missile at the tanker M/T Lexie
- The tanker attempted to breach an American blockade
- This incident is part of ongoing tensions in the strait of Hormuz
- The US military has disabled six ships since April 13
- Iran retaliated by targeting a US military base in Kuwait
Mentioned in this story
US militaryCentcomIranKuwait
M/T Lexie
US forces fired a Hellfire missile to disable a tanker attempting to break through the American blockade and reach Iran, amid an enduring standoff in the strait of Hormuz and stalling efforts by Washington to secure a new ceasefire agreement with Tehran.
The US military’s Central Command (Centcom) said its aircraft disabled the engine room of the unladen Botswana-flagged M/T Lexie on Tuesday as it passed through international waters toward Kharg Island, north of the strait near Kuwait, after the crew ignoring repeated warnings over a 24-hour period.
The Lexie is the sixth ship that the US military has disabled since its blockade of Iran began on 13 April. The US military said it had so far redirected 122 vessels that were seeking to enter or exit Iranian ports.
Shortly after Centcom’s announcement, Kuwait’s military said its air defences were intercepting missile and drone attacks and urged the public “not to approach or touch any debris, shrapnel, or unidentified objects that may result from intercepting hostile aerial targets”.
On the weekend, US forces hit Iranian radar and drone sites, to which Tehran responded by targeting a military base in Kuwait that it claimed was involved in the US operation.
The latest strikes underline the lack of political progress in resolving the Middle East crisis, despite upbeat claims by US secretary of state Marco Rubio in his first appearance before the Senate foreign relations committee since the US and Israel launched their war on Iran.
Rubio reiterated claims on Tuesday that a deal with Tehran was within reach, and claimed the regime had agreed to negotiate aspects of its nuclear program that it had refused to discuss even a month ago.
His comments come in direct contrast to the messaging from Iran, which has indicated it will suspend peace talks with the US in protest against Israel’s offensive in Lebanon, threatening the collapse of negotiations with Washington.
The Iranian foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, said: “The ceasefire between Iran and the US is unequivocally a ceasefire on all fronts, including in Lebanon. Its violation on one front is a violation of the ceasefire on all fronts. The US and Israel are responsible for the consequences of any violation.”
Q&A
What led to the US firing a missile at the tanker M/T Lexie?
The US fired a missile at the M/T Lexie after the crew ignored repeated warnings while attempting to breach an American blockade towards Iran.
How many ships has the US military disabled since the blockade of Iran began?
The US military has disabled six ships since the blockade of Iran began on April 13, redirecting a total of 122 vessels.
What actions did Iran take in response to US military operations?
In response to US military operations, Iran targeted a military base in Kuwait that it claimed was involved in the US operations.
