Hostilities once again erupted in the Persian Gulf on Tuesday when Iran launched a series of missile strikes targeting U.S. Military installations in Kuwait and Bahrain.
The strikes occurred after U.S. forces carried out a maritime enforcement operation against an Iran-flagged vessel in the Persian Gulf. U.S. forces have seized or turned around dozens of vessels since the conflict with Iran erupted on February 28, as President Donald Trump has ordered a counter blockade of the Strait of Hormuz after it was blocked by Iranian forces.
U.S. Central Command confirmed that forces disabled the Botswana-flagged, unladen oil tanker M/T Lexie, which was heading toward an Iranian port near Kharg Island. According to CENTCOM, the vessel’s crew had disregarded multiple warnings and failed to follow directions over a full 24-hour period while transiting international waters.
Ultimately, a U.S. aircraft struck the ship’s engine room with a Hellfire missile, rendering the tanker unable to proceed. No crew injuries were reported in connection with the disabling.
U.S. forces disabled an oil tanker headed for an Iranian port after the vessel allegedly ignored repeated warnings for nearly 24 hours.
Newly released CENTCOM footage shows the moment a Hellfire missile strikes the ship’s engine room, stopping the tanker before it could reach… pic.twitter.com/7D972fP5fD
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Around the same time, Kuwait’s military activated air defenses in response to what it described as incoming hostile missile and drone threats. The country’s army general staff confirmed that explosions heard by residents resulted from successful interceptions.
Authorities advised the public to adhere to safety protocols and remain alert to potential debris. Bahrain’s interior ministry took similar steps, including sounding warning sirens and instructing residents to move to safe shelters
Iranian media outlets, including Mehr news agency, separately noted reports of explosions in the vicinity of Qeshm Island, close to the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz. Local residents were cited as sources, though official Iranian statements provided no immediate confirmation of causes, targets, or any resulting damage.
The latest flare-up of hostilities followed closely on the heels of weekend exchanges from May 31 to June 1, during which the United States struck Iranian radar and drone-related sites after the reported downing of a U.S. MQ-1 drone. Iran had claimed a retaliatory strike against a U.S.-linked facility at that time, which caused multiple injuries.
On the diplomatic front, discussions between Washington and Tehran continued despite the friction. “The conversations between us have been going on continuously, including four days ago, three days ago, two days ago, one day ago, and today,” the president posted on social media.
Iranian officials had indicated a temporary pause in direct contacts while assessing proposals, with key sticking points including Iran’s nuclear activities and potential sanctions relief. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized during congressional discussions that any easing of sanctions would depend on Iran abandoning nuclear weapons-related efforts, which has been the U.S. position throughout the conflict.
