WASHINGTON DC: The U.S. military has intercepted at least three Iranian-flagged oil tankers in Asian waters and is redirecting them away from locations near India, Malaysia, and Sri Lanka, according to shipping and security sources.
The reported interceptions come amid heightened tensions following U.S. sanctions and a maritime blockade targeting Iran’s oil trade. Iran, in turn, has taken actions against commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical route at the entrance to the Persian Gulf, according to Reuters.
The situation has further escalated after nearly two months of conflict involving the United States and Israel, with little progress toward renewed peace talks despite a fragile ceasefire. The disruption of the Strait of Hormuz has affected roughly one-fifth of global oil and gas flows, contributing to wider energy market instability.
In recent days, U.S. forces have also seized an Iranian cargo vessel and an oil tanker. Separately, Iran said it had detained two container ships attempting to leave the Gulf via the Strait of Hormuz after coming under fire, marking its first such actions since the conflict began.
According to two U.S. and Indian shipping sources, as well as Western maritime security officials speaking to Reuters, the U.S. has recently diverted at least three additional Iranian-flagged tankers.
The U.S. military did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
One of the vessels, the Iranian-flagged Deep Sea supertanker, was partially loaded with crude oil and last tracked off the coast of Malaysia about a week ago, according to MarineTraffic data. Another vessel, the smaller tanker Sevin, with a capacity of up to 1 million barrels and carrying around 65% of its load, was last seen near Malaysia a month ago.
A third vessel, the supertanker Dorena, fully loaded with about 2 million barrels of crude, was last tracked off southern India three days ago. The sources said it was also intercepted while operating in the region.
The U.S. Central Command stated on X that the Dorena was placed under escort by a U.S. Navy destroyer in the Indian Ocean after allegedly attempting to breach the blockade.
(Inputs from Reuters)
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