US seized Iran-linked oil tanker in the Indian ocean, WSJ reports
The tanker was sanctioned in March and is one of at least three Iran-linked oil ships seized by U.S. forces this spring, officials said.
- On Tuesday, May 19, 2026, U.S. forces seized the Skywave, an Iran-linked oil tanker, in the Indian Ocean, according to The Wall Street Journal report citing three U.S. officials.
- President Trump said on Monday he postponed planned military operations against Iran after leaders from Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates requested time for diplomatic negotiations focused on preventing nuclear weapons acquisition.
- Ship-Tracking data showed the Skywave was likely loaded with more than 1 million barrels of crude oil at Kharg Island in February. The U.S. previously seized the Majestic X and Tifani tankers in the Indian Ocean in April.
- Targeting Iran's oil trade, the Department of Justice and OFAC announced sanctions on 19 additional tankers as part of an economic campaign officials call "Economic Fury."
- Redirecting 89 commercial vessels, CENTCOM continues total enforcement of the U.S. blockade against Iran, while The Pentagon has not yet commented on the Skywave seizure report released Tuesday.
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PBS NewsHour
U.S. military boards Iranian-flagged oil tanker suspected of trying to breach blockade
The U.S. military said Wednesday that it boarded an Iranian-flagged oil tanker in the Gulf of Oman that was suspected of trying to violate the American blockade, the latest action by the Trump administration to try to push Tehran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
WASHINGTON. – The U.S. Army said on Wednesday that it boarded an Iranian-flagged oil vessel in the Gulf of Oman that was trying to violate the U.S. blockade, the most recent action to try to pressure Tehran to reopen the Strait of Ormuz.The Army's Central Command indicated on social media that M/T Celestial Sea was registered and diverted on suspicion of attempting to go to an Iranian port.
The United States has today detained another Iranian-flagged oil tanker, in an operation led by the US Central Command (CENTCOM). According to the official announcement, US marines boarded the M/T Celestial Sea after it was suspected of attempting to violate the blockade imposed by Washington on Iran. The US has been implementing a naval blockade on Iran for several weeks, with the stated aim of restricting the movement of goods in and out of th…
Sydney Morning Herald
US Marines board Iranian-flagged tanker
An Iranian-flagged tanker has been boarded and redirected by US Marines enforcing a blockade on iran.
The U.S. military today approached an Iranian-flagged commercial oil tanker in the Gulf of Oman suspected of dealing with the blockade imposed on Iranian ports, the Central Command reported. The Command indicated on social media that M/T Celestial Sea was registered and diverted on suspicion that it was attempting to address an Iranian port. It is at least the fifth vessel to be boarded since the U.S. President’s government, Donald Trump, initia…
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