US forces have intercepted and taken control of a sanctioned oil tanker linked to Iran in the Asia-Pacific region, as part of an ongoing campaign targeting alleged illegal maritime networks.
The vessel was boarded and seized in an operation confirmed by the US Department of Defense, which said it is working to enforce global maritime laws and disrupt networks supporting Iran.
According to international news agencies, the US Department of Defense, now referred to as the Department of War, confirmed the development in an official statement.
The statement said the operation is part of a global campaign against illegal maritime networks that support Iran. It added that the United States will continue enforcing maritime laws worldwide to dismantle such networks.
Overnight, U.S. forces conducted a right-of-visit, maritime interdiction and boarding of the stateless sanctioned M/T Tifani without incident in the INDOPACOM area of responsibility.⁰⁰As we have made clear, we will pursue global maritime enforcement efforts to disrupt illicit… pic.twitter.com/EGwDe3dBI3
— Department of War 🇺🇸 (@DeptofWar) April 21, 2026
The statement further said that efforts are underway to stop sanctioned vessels that provide material support to Iran, wherever they may be operating.
According to officials, the vessel named M/T Tifani is listed under sanctions by the US Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) and is accused of transporting Iranian oil.
Maritime tracking data suggests the incident may have taken place in the Indian Ocean.
It is worth noting that just days earlier, the US Navy also seized another vessel in the Gulf of Oman after reportedly opening fire on an Iranian-flagged ship.
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