War in the Middle East: The United States intercepted and boarded a tanker carrying Iranian oil in the Indian Ocean

The operation was carried out last night and was reported this Thursday by Donald Trump’s War Department, which maintains a naval blockade of the coasts of the Islamic Republic.

“During the night, US forces carried out a maritime interdiction and boarding in exercise of the right of access of the sanctioned vessel M/T Majesticwithout flag, which carried oil from Iranin the Indian Ocean within the area of ​​​​responsibility of the Indopacom” (Indo-Pacific Command), published the Pentagon in X.

The Department of Defense released photos and a video of the moment that his forces descend on the deck of the tanker.

“We will continue with the global application of maritime law to dismantle illicit networks and intercept vessels providing material support to Iran, wherever they operate”the Pentagon stated in a statement.

The Majestic X is a Guyana-flagged oil tanker. Previously called Phonix and the United States Department of the Treasury sanctioned him in 2024 for smuggling Iranian crude oil in violation of US sanctions against the Islamic Republic.

Ship tracking data placed Majestic X in the Indian Ocean between Sri Lanka and Indonesiain approximately the same location as the Tifani tanker, previously seized by US forces. He was headed to Zhoushan, China.

The seizure comes a day after Iran attacked three cargo ships in the strait and captured two of them, intensifying its offensive against shipping in the key sea lane through which, in peacetime, 20% of the world’s traded oil passes.

US President Donald Trump extended a ceasefire on Tuesday while maintaining a US blockade of Iranian ports.

The confrontation between the United States and Iran has effectively strangled almost all cross-strait exports, with no end in sight.

The conflict has already sent gasoline prices well above the region and raised the cost of food and a wide range of other products. The price of Brent crude oil, the international benchmark, exceeded $100 per barrel, a 35% increase over pre-war levels, but stock markets still seem to downplay it.

European Union Energy Commissioner Dan Jørgensen warned Wednesday of a lasting impact for consumers and businesses, comparing it to other major energy crises of the past 50 years. He noted that disruption costs Europe around 500 million euros ($600 million) every day.