US missile strike on Iran-bound oil tanker sparks Iranian retaliation and casualties at Kuwait airport

On June 2, 2026, US Central Command confirmed that its aircraft disabled the engine room of the M/T Lexie as it passed through international waters toward Kharg Island, near Kuwait. The US claimed the crew ignored repeated warnings over a 24-hour period. The Guardian and BBC report the strike, while TASS adds context about the broader US naval blockade of Iran, which began on April 13. The US has disabled six commercial vessels and diverted 122 others since then. Iran responded to the US strike by launching drone attacks on Kuwait's airport, resulting in one death and dozens of injuries. The BBC reports that Iran claimed the attack was in retaliation for earlier US strikes on an Iranian oil tanker and island. Tehran says the US missile strike on the M/T Lexie was part of a broader campaign to disrupt Iran's oil exports. Washington maintains that the strike was a necessary measure to enforce its naval blockade and prevent the tanker from reaching Iranian shores. The incident has intensified tensions in the region, with the Strait of Hormuz remaining a critical flashpoint. The US and Iran continue to engage in a standoff, with no immediate signs of de-escalation. The attack on Kuwait's airport has raised concerns about the potential for further escalation and the impact on regional stability.