US forces board Iran-linked tanker, Defence Department says ‘operation conducted without incident’

Washinton DC: US forces have boarded an oil tanker previously sanctioned for smuggling Iranian crude oil in Asia, the United States Department of Defense said on Tuesday, confirming a maritime interception carried out in international waters.

In a social media post, the Pentagon stated that US forces conducted a “right-of-visit maritime interdiction” and boarded the M/T Tifani “without incident”. The operation reportedly took place overnight in the Indian Ocean.

Ship-tracking data indicated that the vessel was located between Sri Lanka and Indonesia at the time of the boarding, according to official information shared by the Defence Department. The tanker had previously been sanctioned over allegations of smuggling Iranian crude oil in violation of international restrictions.

The Pentagon said the action reflects continued enforcement efforts against vessels involved in illicit oil trade. “International waters are not a refuge for sanctioned vessels,” the statement noted.

US authorities have been tightening monitoring of maritime routes in Asia amid concerns over the movement of sanctioned Iranian oil through complex shipping networks. These often involve ship-to-ship transfers and altered tracking systems to avoid detection.

The latest boarding highlights ongoing efforts by Washington to enforce sanctions linked to Iran’s energy exports and disrupt illegal oil trade operations. Officials have not yet provided further details regarding the ownership of the vessel or any subsequent legal proceedings.
(With AP inputs)