On Thursday, April 23, the Pentagon released a video showing the interception of a sanctioned stateless oil tanker named “Majestic X” by the US military in the Indian Ocean, followed by boarding and inspection. The tanker was transporting oil from Iran at that time. This marks the second interception of an Iranian-related oil tanker by the US military in the Indo-Pacific region.
The US Department of War stated on the X platform, “We will continue to conduct maritime law enforcement operations globally, combat illegal networks, and intercept vessels providing material support to Iran, regardless of their location.”
“International waters cannot serve as a safe haven for sanctioned actors. The Department of War will continue to prevent illegal actors and their vessels from freely navigating the seas,” the department further wrote.
The Indian Ocean falls within the responsibility area of the US Indo-Pacific Command.
Vessel tracking data indicates that the “Majestic X” oil tanker was located in the Indian Ocean between Sri Lanka and Indonesia.
According to the Associated Press, the tanker was heading towards Zhoushan, China at the time.
The report mentioned that the “Majestic X” cargo ship, flying the flag of Guyana, previously known as the “Phonix,” was sanctioned by the US Treasury Department in 2024 for smuggling Iranian crude oil in violation of US sanctions.
Earlier this week, the US Navy intercepted and boarded another stateless vessel, “M/T Tifani,” for transporting Iranian oil in the Indian Ocean. The vessel was positioned in the same sea area between Sri Lanka and Indonesia, not far from where the interception of the “Majestic X” tanker took place.
On April 16, the US military announced the expansion of its maritime blockade on Iran, extending beyond the Persian Gulf to other regions worldwide. General Kane, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, stated that the US military would “actively pursue” vessels of Iran’s “shadow fleet,” including conducting interception operations in various sea areas such as the Pacific Ocean.