US forces intercept Iran-linked oil tanker in maritime sanctions operation VIDEO

The U.S. Department of Defence said that American forces carried out a maritime interdiction operation in the Indian Ocean, targeting a sanctioned stateless vessel transporting oil from Iran.

According to a statement posted on X, U.S. personnel conducted a “right-of-visit” boarding of the tanker M/T Majestic X within the area of responsibility of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command. The vessel was inspected for compliance with sanctions restrictions and its oil cargo was reviewed as part of ongoing enforcement measures, Caliber.Az cites the post. 

Overnight, U.S. forces carried out a maritime interdiction and right-of-visit boarding of the sanctioned stateless vessel M/T Majestic X transporting oil from Iran, in the Indian Ocean within the INDOPACOM area of responsibility.

We will continue global maritime enforcement to… pic.twitter.com/SWF6Jt9Ci4

— Department of War 🇺🇸 (@DeptofWar) April 23, 2026

“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," the post reads. 

It was also noted that a similar inspection was carried out earlier this week on another tanker, the M/T Tifani, as part of continued maritime enforcement activities targeting suspected sanctions violations.

By Sabina Mammadli