The U.S. military said Thursday it has seized three oil tankers linked to Iran, including one intercepted overnight in the Indian Ocean, in a significant escalation of maritime enforcement operations targeting Tehran’s energy exports.
American forces boarded the M/T Majestic X, which the Pentagon described on social media platform X as a “sanctioned, stateless vessel.” The operation included personnel arriving by helicopter, with the Pentagon releasing footage showing troops descending onto the ship’s deck during the boarding.
In its statement, the Pentagon said, “We will continue global maritime enforcement to disrupt illicit networks and interdict vessels providing material support to Iran, wherever they operate.”
The seizure of the Majestic X marks the third tanker taken by U.S. forces this week. Earlier operations included the boarding of the M/T Tifani, another vessel described as stateless and sanctioned for transporting Iranian oil. In addition, a U.S. Navy destroyer is currently escorting the Iranian oil tanker Dorena after officials said it attempted to breach the U.S.-enforced blockade.
According to U.S. Central Command, American naval forces have now turned around 31 vessels attempting to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical maritime chokepoint for global energy shipments. Roughly one-fifth of the world’s crude oil and natural gas flows through the strait during peacetime, making it a focal point of international security concerns.
The seizures come amid heightened tensions between Washington and Tehran, as both sides increase maritime enforcement actions in the region. Iran has also taken aggressive steps at sea, including firing on vessels to prevent passage through the waterway. Iranian forces reportedly attacked three ships in the strait on Wednesday and seized two of them, further intensifying the standoff.
The U.S. actions coincide with broader warnings from the administration. President Trump said earlier Thursday that he had ordered the Navy to “shoot and kill any boat” laying mines in the Strait of Hormuz, underscoring the administration’s hardline posture on maritime threats in the region.
The growing confrontation is placing additional strain on an already fragile ceasefire framework between Washington and Tehran. That ceasefire was extended earlier this week by Trump in an effort to create space for renewed diplomatic talks, though recent events suggest the situation at sea remains volatile.
Iran has maintained that it will not allow the Strait of Hormuz to reopen fully while U.S. restrictions on its oil exports remain in place, signaling continued resistance to the blockade measures.
Amid the escalating tensions, there were also notable changes within the U.S. Navy leadership. Navy Secretary John Phelan was dismissed on Wednesday, with the Pentagon stating only that he was “departing the administration, effective immediately.” Navy Undersecretary Hung Cao has been named acting Navy secretary as the department navigates the ongoing crisis.
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