US seizes sanctioned tanker that transports oil from Iran
Illustrative photo: this is already the second vessel intercepted by the US in the past two days (Getty Images)
On April 21, US military forces seized the M/T Tifani, a vessel flying the flag of Botswana and carrying oil from Iran, according to the press service of the Pentagon.
It is noted that the vessel was intercepted within INDOPACOM's area of responsibility, the US Indo-Pacific Command. The tanker M/T Tifani, which sails under the flag of Botswana, has been under sanctions since July 30, 2025, due to its involvement in transporting oil from Iran.
US military personnel stopped the vessel, boarded it, and carried out an inspection team search. The inspection was completed without incident. The Pentagon stated that such operations will continue.
"We will pursue global maritime enforcement efforts to disrupt illicit networks and interdict sanctioned vessels providing material support to Iran — anywhere they operate. International waters are not a refuge for sanctioned vessels," the statement said.
Overnight, U.S. forces conducted a right-of-visit, maritime interdiction and boarding of the stateless sanctioned M/T Tifani without incident in the INDOPACOM area of responsibility.⁰⁰As we have made clear, we will pursue global maritime enforcement efforts to disrupt illicit… pic.twitter.com/EGwDe3dBI3
— Department of War (@DeptofWar) April 21, 2026
On April 20, US President Donald Trump said that US forces had attacked and seized an Iranian-flagged vessel after it attempted to "break through" a US blockade in the Gulf of Oman.
Earlier, The Wall Street Journal reported that the US was preparing in the coming days to seize oil tankers and commercial vessels linked to Iran, with operations potentially taking place even outside the Strait of Hormuz.
This came after Iran announced on April 17 that it was lifting its blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. Trump welcomed the decision but added that Washington would continue its maritime blockade of Iran.
The following day, April 18, reports emerged that Iran had again closed the strait. The country also allegedly attacked several commercial vessels attempting to pass through the strategic waterway.
