Washington, USA – International sources reported on Saturday, December 13, 2025, that US special operations forces conducted a raid on a cargo ship. The ship was en route from China to Iran in the Indian Ocean, hundreds of miles off the coast of Sri Lanka.
According to US officials, the operation aimed to seize materials and shipments suspected of being intended for military purposes and potentially linked to Iran’s defense or missile programs. A special forces team boarded the ship and conducted a thorough inspection. The ship was then allowed to continue its voyage after the cargo was seized.
Details of the process
The ship targeted a shipment bound for Iran containing potentially sensitive materials for military use.
US authorities explained that the confiscated materials were processed or destroyed to prevent them from reaching their intended recipient.
There has been no official comment yet from the Pentagon, the Chinese government, or Iran regarding the operation.
Strategic Dimensions
The operation comes in the context of monitoring maritime shipping that could support Iranian military capabilities, amid ongoing international sanctions against Tehran.
Informed sources indicate that the operation represents a rare escalation in US naval actions against shipments bound from China to Iran, further increasing tensions in the region.
Military experts warn that such operations could lead to diplomatic tensions between Washington, Beijing, and Tehran. This could happen if there is no coordination or official announcement regarding the details of the shipments.
Potential repercussions
The operation is expected to provoke strong political reactions, particularly in Iran, which views any US interference with its shipments as an escalation. It also highlights the US ability to monitor strategic maritime shipping and control sensitive materials before they reach their destination.
This move underscores the continued US-Iranian tensions at sea, amid close monitoring of shipping traffic between Asia and the Middle East, while maintaining a policy of limiting any direct escalation.
