US Military Seizes Sanctioned Tanker Transporting Iranian Oil in Indian Ocean
The United States military has seized a tanker accused of transporting sanctioned Iranian oil in a dramatic maritime operation in the Indian Ocean, officials confirmed on Thursday. The vessel, identified as the M/T Majestic X, was intercepted and boarded by US forces as part of ongoing enforcement of international sanctions against Iran.
According to a statement from the Department of Defense, the operation involved a “maritime interdiction and right-of-visit boarding” conducted within the Indo-Pacific Command’s area of responsibility.
Footage released by the Pentagon showed troops descending onto the vessel from hovering helicopters, highlighting the precision and coordination of the mission.
The Majestic X, which sails under the Guyana flag and was formerly known as Phonix, had previously been sanctioned in 2024 by US authorities for its role in smuggling Iranian crude oil.
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Officials say the tanker was operating as a “stateless vessel,” a designation often used for ships attempting to evade international regulations.
Ship-tracking data placed the vessel between Sri Lanka and Indonesia at the time of the interception. The tanker was reportedly en route to Zhoushan in China, a key destination in global oil trade networks.
The seizure comes amid heightened tensions surrounding Iran’s oil exports, which remain heavily restricted under US sanctions. Washington has consistently accused Tehran of using covert shipping networks and rebranded vessels to bypass these restrictions and continue selling crude on the global market.
Defense officials emphasized that the operation is part of a broader campaign to uphold maritime security and enforce sanctions compliance. “We will continue global maritime enforcement to deter illicit activity and ensure the free flow of lawful commerce,” the statement read.
This marks the second such interception in recent days, signaling an escalation in US efforts to crack down on unauthorized oil shipments in strategic waters. Analysts suggest that these operations could further strain relations between Washington and Tehran, while also impacting global oil supply chains.
The incident underscores the growing importance of maritime surveillance and enforcement in geopolitics, particularly in regions critical to international energy transport.
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