IRGC says it struck US-linked vessel 'Panaya' after tanker attack near Strait

US Central Command (CENTCOM) said on Tuesday that US and partner forces intercepted multiple Iranian ballistic missiles and drones, and conducted self-defense strikes on an Iranian ground control station on Qeshm Island, according to a statement.

CENTCOM said Iran launched missiles toward regional targets, including Kuwait and Bahrain, but said they either failed to reach their intended targets or were intercepted. It also said US forces shot down drones targeting civilian maritime traffic in regional waters.

"No US personnel were harmed. CENTCOM forces remain vigilant and ready to defend against unwarranted Iranian aggression during the ongoing ceasefire," the statement said.

Tanker Trackers said on Tuesday the tanker LEXIE (IMO 9203277), which it described as part of Iran’s sanctioned oil network, has shipped tens of millions of barrels of Iranian crude since 2019.

The vessel is the same tanker US Central Command said it disabled on Tuesday after it attempted to sail toward an Iranian port and ignored repeated warnings, according to earlier CENTCOM statement.

Iranian activist Motahare Goonei said on Tuesday she has grown up with the “horrific consequences of war” and is still struggling with its impact, adding that ordinary Iranians did not start the conflict and warning against attempts to “bury the truth” or shift responsibility away from what she described as the real warmonger.

"I was in prison throughout the entire Twelve-Day War. During the recent war as well, I was staying at my father's house, located in the most militarized area of Tehran. It's stating the obvious, but I'll say it anyway," she posted on X. "I was raised amidst the horrific consequences and aftermath of war, and I still grapple with them to this day. But the people of Iran did not start this war—so now is not the time to play games and sidestep the real warmongers, burying the truth in the process! We are all hostages!"

US forces disabled an oil tanker bound for an Iranian port in the Persian Gulf after its crew ignored repeated warnings and failed to comply with instructions from American forces, US Central Command said on Tuesday.

CENTCOM said a US aircraft fired a Hellfire missile into the engine room of the Botswana-flagged M/T Lexie, preventing the unladen vessel from reaching Iran's Kharg Island. The military said the tanker had disregarded multiple warnings over a 24-hour period while transiting international waters.

The visa documents for Iran's delegation have been delivered to Iran's embassy in Ankara, the report said.

Last month, Reuters reported, citing an Iranian football federation official that the team attended visa appointments in Ankara.

Varzesh 3 said the visa issue had been one of the main concerns for Iran's football federation in recent months and had led to the team's camp being moved from Tucson, Arizona, to Tijuana, Mexico.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Tuesday his country is determined to prevent individuals affiliated with Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) from entering the country as part of Iran's delegation for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The World Cup will be hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Iran is grouped with New Zealand, Belgium and Egypt, with its matches scheduled for June 16, June 21 and June 27.

Iran began its current training camp in Antalya, Turkey, on May 18 and beat Gambia 3-1 in a friendly last Friday.

The camp is scheduled to end on Thursday with a match against Mali before the team prepares to travel to Mexico, Varzesh 3 said.