Another tanker caught amid US naval blockade in Indian Ocean
Illustrative photo: Another offending tanker detained in the Indian Ocean (GettyImages)
American forces stopped the tanker Veronica III in the Indian Ocean for allegedly breaching US sanctions, the Pentagon reported on X.
Tracked from the Caribbean
According to the Pentagon, the tanker was monitored from the Caribbean to the Indian Ocean before being stopped. The inspection, maritime blockade, and boarding operation were carried out without incident.
The Pentagon also warned other vessels about the consequences of violating sanctions:
"International waters are not sanctuary. By land, air, or sea, we will find you and deliver justice," the statement read.
Possible sanctions violations
The Ukrainian Ministry of Defense's War Sanctions resource noted that Veronica III may have been used to transport hundreds of thousands of tons of sanctioned Iranian and Venezuelan oil.
We defend the Homeland forward. Distance does not protect you.
— Department of War (@DeptofWar) February 15, 2026
Overnight, U.S. forces conducted a right-of-visit, maritime interdiction and boarding of the Veronica III without incident in the INDOPACOM area of responsibility.
The vessel tried to defy President Trump’s… pic.twitter.com/Tran3cLR9g
Earlier, we reported that officials from former US President Donald Trump's administration had considered seizing tankers carrying Iranian oil. Washington aimed to pressure Tehran over the nuclear deal but abandoned the plan due to the risk of retaliatory actions.
