U.S. and partner forces conducted strikes on Qeshm Island in response to Iranian attacks across the Middle East on June 2, according to U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM). CENTCOM reported that the operations were in response to Iran launching ballistic missiles toward Kuwait and Bahrain, which were intercepted. No personnel were harmed during these incidents. The United States also shot down Iranian drones targeting civilian vessels shortly before the strikes and targeted a ground station on Qeshm Island.
The strikes followed the disabling of a Botswana-flagged oil tanker, M/T Lexie, which was headed toward an Iranian port. The tanker was reportedly traveling through international waters toward Kharg Island when it failed to comply with U.S. directives over a 24-hour period. A U.S. aircraft fired a Hellfire missile into the vessel’s engine room, disabling it and preventing it from reaching Iran. CENTCOM stated that the tanker was not carrying any cargo at the time.
This incident is part of an ongoing U.S.-led effort to economically isolate Iran amid escalating tensions and strained peace negotiations. U.S. forces began enforcing a blockade on maritime traffic entering and leaving Iranian ports through the Strait of Hormuz on April 13. Since then, American forces have redirected 122 vessels and disabled six commercial ships attempting to reach Iranian ports.
The latest maritime confrontation coincided with reports of a possible Iranian missile and drone attack targeting U.S. military facilities in Kuwait. Kuwaiti authorities reported that air defense systems intercepted incoming aerial threats on the evening of June 2. Iranian state media claimed that missiles were launched toward Camp Arifjan and Ali Al Salem Air Base, both of which host U.S. military personnel.
President Donald Trump stated that peace talks between Washington and Tehran are ongoing, but Iran threatened to withdraw from negotiations. On the same day, U.S. and Iranian forces exchanged military strikes, each labeling their actions as “self-defense.” CENTCOM indicated that U.S. strikes targeted drone radar and command and control sites. Iran responded with similar actions, stating it was targeting the air base from which the aggression originated and warned of a harsher military response to future strikes.