Washington, DC – US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced in an official statement Sunday that its naval forces successfully intercepted a commercial vessel subject to international sanctions in the Arabian Sea. The vessel was attempting to circumvent the maritime blockade imposed on Iranian exports.
This operation comes as part of escalating US pressure to cripple Tehran’s financial resources and prevent its oil products from reaching global markets. The US military stated that the targeted vessel, identified as the “Sevan,” is a key component of what is known as the “shadow fleet.” This group comprises 19 supertankers specializing in the illicit transport of Iranian oil and gas to evade international restrictions.
Details of the military operation
According to a statement carried by Reuters, a U.S. Navy helicopter, launched from the guided-missile destroyer USS Pinckney, conducted the intercept in international waters.
Central Command confirmed that the crew of the USS Seifan responded immediately. The ship is currently complying with U.S. military directives to return to Iranian ports under enhanced escort by naval forces.
Drying up the sources of “billions of dollars”
U.S. Central Command explained that the U.S. Treasury Department had placed the “shadow fleet” vessels on its sanctions list due to their role in transporting billions of dollars’ worth of Iranian energy products, including shipments of propane and butane. These sanctions aim to sever the economic lifeline that Tehran uses to fund its military and regional activities.
The siege in numbers
In a statistic reflecting the scale of ongoing naval operations, the US military revealed that since the imposition of the strict naval blockade, joint forces have “redirected” 37 commercial vessels attempting to enter or leave Iranian ports with prohibited cargo. This latest operation underscores Washington’s determination to maintain close monitoring of vital waterways in the region, particularly the Arabian Sea and the Strait of Hormuz, to ensure full compliance with economic sanctions amidst continued military and political tensions between the United States and Iran.
