On Friday, the United States Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM) announced that US military conducted a maritime interception and boarding inspection on the sanctioned vessel “MT Davina” in the Indian Ocean during the night to prevent any material support from flowing to Iran.
INDOPACOM stated on social media platform X that “US military conducted a maritime interception and lawful boarding inspection on the sanctioned stateless vessel ‘MT Davina’ within the Indo-Pacific Command’s area of responsibility in the Indian Ocean during the night.”
“We will continue maritime law enforcement operations globally to combat illegal networks and intercept vessels providing material support to Iran, regardless of their activities in any sea area,” INDOPACOM said, adding that “international waters cannot be a safe haven for sanctioned actors. The Department of Defense will continue to prevent illegal actors and their vessels from freely navigating the seas.”
INDOPACOM also shared a video and several related photos in the post showing US soldiers boarding the “MT Davina” via helicopters.
This action comes as the US Central Command continues its maritime blockade on Iranian ports. On April 16, the US military announced an expansion of the maritime blockade on Iran, including vessels docked at Iranian ports, vessels currently under US sanctions, and vessels suspected of carrying prohibited goods. General Mark Milley, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, stated during a Pentagon press conference that the US military will actively pursue the vessels of Iran’s “shadow fleet,” even if they are not in the Persian Gulf but navigating in other seas worldwide.
He mentioned that the US military is conducting similar maritime interception operations in other regions, including the Pacific, targeting vessels suspected of supporting Iran.