A dramatic operation unfolded at sea after US Navy forces raided a fuel tanker accused of violating US sanctions on Iran.
Footage released by the US Department of War showed troops descending from helicopters and taking control of the vessel in open waters. The mission was carried out by the US military's Indian Ocean command, suggesting the operation took place west of the Strait of Malacca.
Overnight, U.S. forces conducted a right-of-visit, maritime interdiction and boarding of the stateless sanctioned M/T Tifani without incident in the INDOPACOM area of responsibility.⁰⁰As we have made clear, we will pursue global maritime enforcement efforts to disrupt illicit… pic.twitter.com/EGwDe3dBI3
— Department of War ?? (@DeptofWar) April 21, 2026
In a statement, the Department of War said: "Overnight, U.S. forces conducted a right-of-visit, maritime interdiction and boarding of the stateless sanctioned M/T Tifani without incident in the INDOPACOM area of responsibility. As we have made clear, we will pursue global maritime enforcement efforts to disrupt illicit networks and interdict sanctioned vessels providing material support to Iran—anywhere they operate. International waters are not a refuge for sanctioned vessels. The Department of War will continue to deny illicit actors and their vessels freedom of maneuver in the maritime domain."
