The Indian Ocean is a major ocean bounded by Africa, Asia, Australia, and Antarctica. Known as a critical maritime corridor for global energy trade, particularly Gulf oil exports, and a longstanding theater for U.S. naval power projection. Recently, it has been the site of sustained U.S. interdiction operations targeting Iranian-linked oil tankers. Last updated Jul 5th, 2026
BIG: A sanctioned stateless tanker, the MT DAVINA, was boarded by U.S. forces in the Indian Ocean overnight. The interdiction fell within the INDOPACOM area of responsibility. The Department of War vowed to continue denying illicit vessels freedom of maneuver at sea, stating global maritime enforcement against Iran-linked networks will persist regardless of location.
NEW: U.S. forces seized the Skywave, an Iran-linked oil tanker, in the Indian Ocean overnight, according to three U.S. officials. The vessel was sanctioned in March for its role in moving Iranian crude and was likely loaded with over a million barrels from Kharg Island in February.
The U.S. Navy says it has now intercepted or redirected at least 7 Iranian linked vessels since the blockade began.
Touska, April 19. Hard seizure. USS Spruance fired on it, Marines boarded.
M/T Tifani, April 21. Boarded in the Indian Oce...
The U.S. Navy says it has now intercepted or redirected at least 7 Iranian linked vessels since the blockade began.
Touska, April 19. Hard seizure. USS Spruance fired on it, Marines boarded.
M/T Tifani, April 21. Boarded in the Indian Ocean. Still loitering nearby.
M/T Majestic X, April 23. Boarded in the Indian Ocean.
Sevan, April 25. Redirected by USS Pinckney helicopter. Escorted back to Iran.
Hero II. Intercepted earlier this week. Now anchored at Chabahar.
Hedy. Intercepted earlier this week. Also anchored at Chabahar.
Dorena. Currently under escort of a U.S. Navy destroyer in the Indian Ocean.
Most of these ships left before the blockade and had a head start.
The real test is the next wave. According to marine trackers there are a few ships that departed Iranian ports after the blockade began on April 13 that are still at sea, many running dark with no AIS.
If the U.S. intercepts those too, the blockade is real.
"Overnight, U.S. forces carried out a maritime interdiction and right-of-visit boarding of the sanctioned stateless vessel M/T Majestic X transporting oil from Iran, in the Indian Ocean within the INDOPACOM area of ...
U.S. Department of War:
"Overnight, U.S. forces carried out a maritime interdiction and right-of-visit boarding of the sanctioned stateless vessel M/T Majestic X transporting oil from Iran, in the Indian Ocean within the INDOPACOM area of responsibility.
We will continue global maritime enforcement to disrupt illicit networks and interdict vessels providing material support to Iran, wherever they operate.
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."
U.S. forces boarded and seized the sanctioned stateless vessel M/T Majestic X in the Indian Ocean overnight. The ship was transporting Iranian oil.
The Department of War said it will continue global maritime enforcement to "disrupt illicit networks and interdict vessels providing material support to Iran, wherever they operate."
CENTCOM: U.S. forces have turned back 29 vessels under the Iran blockade and denied reports that Hero II, Hedy, and Dorena bypassed enforcement. It said Hero II and Hedy are anchored in Chah Bahar after interception, while Dorena is under U.S. Navy escort in the Indian Ocean.
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