US seizes tanker carrying 1.9 million barrels of Iranian oil

The United States has seized a tanker in the Indian Ocean carrying approximately 1.9 million barrels of Iranian oil, U.S. Attorney Janine Pirro announced on Thursday, April 23.

According to Pirro, the operation was carried out pursuant to a federal seizure warrant issued by a magistrate judge. The vessel, identified as the M/T Majestic — formerly known as the M/T Phonix — was intercepted by U.S. forces as part of efforts to disrupt illicit oil shipments.

"Overnight, pursuant to a seizure warrant submitted by my office and signed by a federal magistrate, U.S. forces interdicted the dark fleet vessel, M/T Majestic (formerly known as the M/T Phonix), while carrying approximately 1.9 million barrels of Iranian oil in the Indian Ocean. Earlier this week, U.S. forces similarly seized the M/T Tifani based on one of our seizure warrants. It too was laden with approximately 1.9 million barrels of Iranian oil.

We will continue to relentlessly investigate, track, and pursue these cases, using every lawful authority to hold sanctioned actors and those who support terrorism accountable, and to deny them of any ability to profit from illicit maritime activity.

My office has executed some of the nation’s most complex seizure warrants—including those used to stop, board, and seize the M/Ts Skipper, Bella 1, and Veronica—working with national security partners to disrupt illicit oil networks and protect American interests," she wrote.

By Tamilla Hasanova