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ConflictUS fires missile at oil tanker off Iran's Kharg Island, citing ignored warnings
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On June 2, 2026, the US military fired a Hellfire missile at an unloaded oil tanker in the Persian Gulf, disabling it by striking the engine room. The attack occurred off Iran's Kharg Island, a key oil export hub. According to US Central Command (Centcom), the Botswana-flagged vessel ignored repeated warnings and failed to comply with US orders over a 24-hour period. The US has enforced a blockade of all shipping to and from Iranian ports since April 13, 2026, as part of ongoing hostilities. Centcom reported that US forces have disabled six merchant ships and diverted 122 under the blockade. The incident comes amid stalled negotiations between Tehran and Washington to end the Iran war, with a ceasefire in place since early April. While Iranian media report no recent talks, US President Donald Trump claims negotiations continue.
Source report
Symbolic image of an oil tanker at sunset. Source: Getty Images / Anton Petrus
The U.S. military has used a missile strike to disable an oil tanker attempting to reach Iran, after the vessel's crew repeatedly ignored warnings and failed to comply with orders.
Incident Details
According to the U.S. Central Command (Centcom), the unloaded oil tanker was struck by a missile in the Persian Gulf on Tuesday, off the coast of Kharg Island — a key hub for Iran's oil exports. The attack rendered the vessel inoperable.
The ship, which was flying the flag of Botswana, ignored repeated instructions from U.S. forces over a 24-hour period. A U.S. aircraft fired a Hellfire missile into the tanker's engine room, preventing it from reaching an Iranian port.
Centcom also released a video showing the missile striking the tanker, followed by smoke rising from the impact.
Broader Context
The strike is part of a broader U.S. blockade on all shipping entering and leaving Iranian ports, which began on April 13. Centcom reports that U.S. forces have so far disabled six merchant ships and diverted 122 others as part of the operation.
Diplomatic Situation
Negotiations between Tehran and Washington to end the ongoing conflict remain stalled. A ceasefire has been in place since the beginning of April.
While Iranian news agencies report that no talks have taken place between the two sides for several days, U.S. President Donald Trump has stated that negotiations are continuing, calling all other reports false and misleading.
Sources: dpa, AFP / luwi
Source
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