On Sunday, the United States Department of War announced that it intercepted another sanctioned oil tanker in the Indian Ocean. This marks the second oil tanker intercepted by the US military in the region within a week.
In a statement posted on the social media platform X, the Department of War stated that the US military conducted a maritime interception and boarding operation on the Veronica III vessel within the Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM) responsibility area. The entire process went smoothly without any incidents.
“The vessel attempted to violate President Trump’s quarantine order—trying to escape,” the Department of War said. “We tracked it all the way from the Caribbean to the Indian Ocean, shortened the distance, and intercepted it.”
The Department of War praised the strength of the United States, stating that no other country possesses the capability, endurance, and determination required to carry out such an operation.
“International waters are not a safe haven. Whether by land, air, or sea, we will find you and uphold justice,” the Department of War declared. “The US Department of War will deprive illegal actors and their agents of freedom of action at sea.”
The Department of War also attached a video in the post showing US forces boarding the oil tanker.
According to information from the vessel tracking website MarineTracker, the Veronica III is a Panamanian crude oil tanker. The website also indicates that this vessel appeared in the central Indian Ocean south of Indonesia around 8 a.m. Eastern Time on Sunday.
According to the website of the US Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control, the Veronica III is listed on the US sanctioned list related to Iran.
A week prior, the US military intercepted another oil tanker, the Aquila II, in the Indian Ocean. The oil tanker was suspected of violating sanctions and was transporting Venezuelan crude oil to China.
In recent months, due to tensions in the Caribbean region, the US has detained several oil tankers in the area. In early January, the US military also arrested Venezuelan leader Maduro. The Trump administration is currently exerting pressure on Cuba, seeking to reach an agreement with the United States.