In their grasp US military seizes sanctioned tanker transporting Iranian oil
US forces seized a Guyana-flagged tanker in the Indian Ocean on Thursday, April 23, 2026. @DeptofWar/X
U.S. military personnel have taken control of an oil tanker flying the flag of Guyana in the Indian Ocean, according to a statement released Thursday by the Pentagon.
Images and video shared by the Defense Department show American service members boarding the vessel, identified as the Majestic X. The ship was previously known as the Phonix and had been placed under U.S. sanctions in 2024 for allegedly transporting Iranian crude in violation of restrictions imposed on Iran.
Tracking data indicated the tanker was traveling between Sri Lanka and Indonesia—near where another vessel, the Tifani, was seized by U.S. forces earlier in the week. The Majestic X was reportedly headed toward Zhoushan, China.
In a statement posted online, the Pentagon said it will continue efforts to target maritime networks involved in sanction violations tied to Iran. Officials emphasized that operating in international waters does not exempt sanctioned ships from enforcement actions, adding that the U.S. intends to limit the ability of such vessels to move freely.
The operation follows heightened tensions in the region. Just a day earlier, Iranian forces opened fire on three cargo ships in the Strait of Hormuz and took control of two of them. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said those incidents did not breach the terms of the current cease-fire, noting that the vessels were not American or Israeli.
Iran had not issued a response to the tanker seizure as of Thursday.
The developments come amid ongoing instability in key shipping routes. Since the launch of Operation Epic Fury on Feb. 28, more than 30 vessels have been targeted across the Persian Gulf, Strait of Hormuz, and Gulf of Oman. Concerns over attacks, along with soaring insurance costs, have significantly reduced traffic through the strait, a critical passageway that handles roughly one-fifth of the world’s traded oil and natural gas.
Although a cease-fire went into effect on April 8 and was extended indefinitely by President Trump earlier this week, clashes involving U.S. and Iranian-linked vessels have continued to test the agreement.
Meanwhile, a planned new round of negotiations that was expected to take place in Islamabad, Pakistan, earlier this week was called off. It remains uncertain if or when talks between the parties will resume.
About Post Author
