U.S. Seizes Iranian Oil Tanker in High-Stakes Move as Ceasefire Hangs in the Balance

U.S. military forces boarded and seized the M/T Tifani, a stateless oil tanker previously sanctioned for smuggling Iranian crude oil, in the Indian Ocean.

This marks the first such interdiction since the U.S. expanded its blockade to target all Iranian-flagged and sanctioned vessels worldwide. The operation comes at a critical moment, with a temporary ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran nearing its expiration and peace talks in jeopardy. The Pentagon emphasized that international waters are not a refuge for sanctioned vessels and vowed to continue disrupting illicit Iranian oil shipments.

The move has heightened tensions and cast uncertainty over ongoing diplomatic efforts to prevent renewed conflict.