U.S. Forces Seize Third Iranian-Linked Tanker in Indian Ocean
U.S. Navy forces boarded and seized the sanctioned tanker M/T Majestic X in the Indian Ocean on Thursday, the third vessel interdicted as part of the global blockade on Iranian oil exports.
The ship was intercepted in the Indian Ocean between Sri Lanka and Indonesia, within the Indo-Pacific Command area of responsibility. Video released by the military appeared to show U.S. forces descending from a helicopter and boarding the tanker.
The vessel, formerly known as Phonix, was sanctioned by the Treasury Department in 2024 for allegedly smuggling Iranian crude oil in violation of U.S. restrictions. Ship-tracking data showed it was en route to Zhoushan, China at the time of the seizure.
“We will continue global maritime enforcement to disrupt illicit networks and interdict vessels providing material support to Iran, wherever they operate,” the Department of War wrote on X.
“International waters cannot be used as a shield by sanctioned actors. The Department of War will continue to deny illicit actors and their vessels freedom of maneuver in the maritime domain,” it added.
The seizure comes amid a series of maritime confrontations in the region. Earlier this week, U.S. forces seized the Iranian-linked cargo ship Touska and the tanker M/T Tifani, while Iranian forces seized multiple commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz.
The back-and-forth maritime seizures come as tensions remain elevated between Iran and the U.S. despite President Donald Trump’s announcement on Wednesday extending the U.S.-Iran ceasefire. Iran has not yet agreed to the extension.
