Photo: EPA
U.S. naval forces have intercepted at least three Iranian oil tankers in Asian waters and are redirecting them away from positions near the coasts of India, Malaysia, and Sri Lanka, according to Reuters.
Among the intercepted vessels is the Iranian supertanker Deep Sea, which was partially loaded with crude oil. Its last known location, according to MarineTraffic tracking data, was off the coast of Malaysia a week ago, shipping and security sources told the agency.
A second vessel, the Iranian tanker Sevin, with a maximum capacity of 1 million barrels, was about 65% loaded. Its signal also disappeared near Malaysia about a month ago.
The third intercepted vessel is the Iranian supertanker Dorena, fully loaded with 2 million barrels of crude oil. It was spotted off India’s southern coast three days ago. United States Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed on Wednesday via X that Dorena is now being escorted by a U.S. destroyer in the Indian Ocean.
Possible fourth interception
According to shipping sources, U.S. forces may also have intercepted the Iranian tanker Derya. The vessel was unable to unload Iranian oil in India before the expiration of a U.S. sanctions waiver allowing such purchases. It was last tracked off India’s western coast on Friday.
However, U.S. officials have not confirmed the interception of Derya or Deep Sea and did not respond to requests for comment.
29 vessels redirected
Since the start of the blockade, U.S. forces have redirected a total of 29 vessels, forcing them to change course or return to port. CENTCOM confirmed this figure but did not publicly disclose the full list.
A maritime security source added that the U.S. is deliberately intercepting Iranian ships in open waters, away from the Strait of Hormuz. The reason is the presence of floating mines reportedly deployed by Iran, which pose serious risks to operations near the strait.
Conflict context
The Strait of Hormuz is a critical chokepoint at the entrance to the Persian Gulf, through which around 20% of global oil and gas consumption has historically passed.
Iran has closed the strait to shipping and opened fire on vessels attempting to transit it, triggering a global energy crisis.
In response, the United States imposed its own naval blockade on Iranian trade and has recently seized both an Iranian cargo ship and an oil tanker.
Iran, in turn, has begun its own seizures: on Wednesday, it announced the detention of two container ships attempting to leave the Persian Gulf via the Strait of Hormuz — the first such actions since the conflict began.
Nearly two months have passed since the start of U.S. and Israeli military operations against Iran. The ceasefire remains fragile, and peace talks have not resumed. Mutual ship seizures in open waters have effectively become a new front in the confrontation — economic and logistical.
