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US strikes another vessel in Eastern Pacific, killing three — Pentagon chief
Secretary Pete Hegseth says the strike targeted a vessel operated by a designated terrorist organisation; no US forces were harmed.
US strikes another vessel in Eastern Pacific, killing three — Pentagon chief
US carries out another strike on a vessel in the Eastern Pacific / Reuters
October 23, 2025

The United States has carried out another strike on a vessel allegedly engaged in "narco-trafficking" in the Eastern Pacific, said Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth.

In a post on X on Wednesday, Hegseth said the "lethal kinetic strike" targeted a vessel "operated by a Designated Terrorist Organization (DTO)."

US intelligence indicated that the vessel was transiting along a "known narco-trafficking route" and was carrying narcotics, he said.

"Three male narco-terrorists were aboard the vessel during the strike, which was conducted in international waters. All three terrorists were killed and no U.S. forces were harmed in this strike," he added.

The attack marks the latest US strike on suspected drug-trafficking boats as part of the Trump administration’s campaign against "narco-terrorism."

Rights groups and legal experts have questioned the legality of the operations, arguing that US strikes on drug cartels are pushing the bounds of international law.

RelatedTRT World - US strike on alleged drug-smuggling boat in Pacific Ocean kills two

SOURCE:TRT World & Agencies