As the US naval blockade against Iran continues, another development has occurred that will increase security concerns in the region. The US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced that it intervened against an empty oil tanker attempting to travel from the Persian Gulf to an Iranian port.
In a statement from CENTCOM, it was stated, "Our military applied blockade measures to the Botswana-flagged M/T Lexie vessel, which was transiting from international waters toward Kharg Island.
The ship's crew ignored repeated warnings from US forces over a 24-hour period.
A US aircraft eventually fired a Hellfire missile into the ship's engine room, disabling the vessel's ability to move and preventing the tanker from reaching Iran."
It was recalled that as part of the naval blockade initiated by the US on April 13, 6 commercial vessels attempting to reach Iran have been stopped, and 122 ships have changed their routes.
News Source: 12punto
