The United States military has confirmed that it fired a missile at an oil tanker, the Botswana-flagged M/T Lexie, that was reportedly en route to Iran. This action is part of a broader naval blockade imposed by the US in the strategically significant Strait of Hormuz, which began on April 13. According to the US Central Command (Centcom), the missile strike targeted the engine room of the tanker after its crew failed to heed multiple warnings from US forces over a 24-hour period. Centcom stated that the vessel was disabled as it transited international waters toward Kharg Island, a key Iranian oil export hub. The US military has been actively enforcing this blockade, which has reportedly resulted in the disabling of six commercial vessels and the redirection of 122 others since its initiation. The incident has not yet elicited a public response from Iranian officials. The US has released footage purportedly showing the missile strike, which underscores the ongoing tensions in the region and the US's commitment to its blockade measures.