US says it intercepted ‘stateless sanctioned’ oil vessel in Asia-Pacific, amid Iran crackdown
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The US Department of Defence posted video footage showing helicopters landing on a large, bright orange tanker.
PHOTO: X/@DEPTOFWAR
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- US defence forces intercepted and boarded the "stateless sanctioned" MT Tifani vessel in the INDOPACOM area on April 21, targeting Iran support networks.
- The Pentagon aims to disrupt illicit networks and interdict sanctioned vessels supporting Iran, declaring, "International waters are not a refuge for sanctioned vessels."
- President Trump vowed to maintain an Iran blockade until a deal is reached, amidst uncertainty about a second round of Tehran-Washington negotiations.
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WASHINGTON - The US Defence Department said on April 21 that its forces intercepted and boarded a “stateless sanctioned” vessel as part of Washington’s efforts against networks that provide support to Iran.
“Overnight, US forces conducted a right-of-visit, maritime interdiction and boarding of the stateless sanctioned M/T Tifani without incident in the INDOPACOM area of responsibility,” the department posted on its X page.
The statement said the United States was determined “to disrupt illicit networks and interdict sanctioned vessels providing material support to Iran – anywhere they operate.”
The exact location of the operation was not made clear.
INDOPACOM is the US Indo-Pacific Command, which oversees a broad region that includes the Pacific and Indian oceans.
The Tifani is a “Botswana-flagged tanker,” according to the intelligence firm Vanguard Tech, which said the vessel was intercepted in the Indian Ocean.
Its last signal was detected on April 21 halfway between Sri Lanka and the Strait of Malacca, according to the maritime tracking website Marine Traffic.
“International waters are not a refuge for sanctioned vessels,” the Pentagon said in its post, which included video footage showing helicopters hovering just above a large, bright orange tanker.
AFP has identified the vessel as one affiliated with Iranian activity.
According to energy intelligence firm Kpler, the vessel had loaded approximately two million barrels of crude on Iran’s Kharg Island on April 5 and passed through the Strait of Hormuz on April 9. Its tracking signal indicated it was heading towards Singapore.
The Tifani has in recent years carried out numerous ship-to-ship oil transfers off Singapore and Malaysia and made multiple round trips between this area and destinations including Iran and China.
US President Donald Trump has vowed to maintain a blockade on Iran “until there is a deal” to end the war.
On April 20, however, maritime data firm Lloyd’s List Intelligence said “at least 26 ships from Iran’s ghost fleet (had) circumvented the US blockade” since it was imposed last week.
Doubts remained on April 21 regarding whether a second round of negotiations between Tehran and Washington would take place in Islamabad. AFP
