Pentagon cites ongoing efforts to disrupt financing networks linked to Iran.
On Thursday, the U.S. War Department confirmed that the Indo-Pacific Command (Indopacom) intercepted and boarded a sanctioned tanker sailing with Iranian crude in the Indian Ocean.
“Overnight, U.S. forces carried out a maritime interdiction and right-of-visit boarding of the sanctioned stateless vessel MT/Majestic X transporting oil from Iran,” the Pentagon posted on X.
The military command also released images of the interception operation showing U.S. troops boarding the vessel, including a video in which a service member can be heard warning the Majestic X by radio that they were about to come aboard.
“We will continue global maritime enforcement to disrupt illicit networks and interdict vessels providing material support to Iran, wherever they operate,” the War Department said.
“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.”
On Tuesday, the Pentagon announced the boarding of the sanctioned tanker M/T Tifani in the Indo-Pacific, linked to Iran, another action aimed at cutting off funding channels to the Persian nation during the ceasefire in the U.S.-Israel war on Iran that began Feb. 28.
These interdictions are taking place amid the total blockade of Iran’s coasts ordered by U.S. President Donald Trump, following an initial round of peace negotiations without results and after Tehran halted passage through the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic route through which 20% of the world’s crude oil passed.
On Sunday, Trump announced that the U.S. Navy fired upon and seized an Iranian-flagged cargo ship that attempted to break through the blockade.
The United States has halted at least 31 vessels since the naval blockade of Iran began, according to figures published the previous day by Central Command (Centcom).
More than 10,000 U.S. troops, about 17 warships and 100 aircraft are patrolling waters near Iran to ensure that no vessel enters or leaves its ports.
Trump indefinitely extended the ceasefire with Iran, arguing that the Iranian government needs time because it is divided. He also said there is a possibility that peace negotiations could resume in Pakistan on April 24.
On Wednesday, the Pentagon announced the departure of U.S. Navy Secretary John Phelan after several months of reports of internal disputes between the leadership of the War Department and senior military ranks.
teleSUR/ JF
Source: EFE
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