The U.S. military announced Thursday that it had intercepted three oil tankers carrying cargo from Iran, with the latest operation occurring overnight in the Indian Ocean. American troops boarded the M/T Majestic X, a vessel the Pentagon labeled a “sanctioned, stateless ship,” according to a statement on X. The department released footage showing personnel descending from helicopters onto the tanker.
“We will continue global maritime enforcement to disrupt illicit networks and interdict vessels providing material support to Iran, wherever they operate,” the Pentagon post read.
This seizure marks the third such operation this week as Washington enforces a naval blockade on Iranian seaborne trade. A Navy destroyer is currently escorting the Iranian tanker Dorena after the U.S. accused it of attempting to breach the blockade. Earlier, troops boarded the M/T Tifani, another stateless vessel sanctioned for transporting Iranian oil.
U.S. Central Command reported Wednesday that American forces have turned around 31 vessels attempting to transit the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for global energy supplies. The strait handles about one-fifth of the world’s crude oil and natural gas under normal conditions.
President Trump said Thursday he had ordered the Navy to “shoot and kill any boat” laying mines in the strait, escalating his rhetoric amid the standoff. Iran has responded by firing on ships and seizing two vessels in the waterway on Wednesday, according to Tehran.
The back-and-forth is putting new strain on a fragile ceasefire between Washington and Tehran. Trump extended the ceasefire Tuesday to allow peace talks to proceed, but Iran has insisted it will not reopen the strait as long as the U.S. blockade remains in place. For more on the political dynamics, see our analysis on potential 2028 Democratic contenders and Senate GOP efforts to limit Trump's Iran military authority.
Amid the turmoil, Navy Secretary John Phelan was dismissed Wednesday, with the Pentagon offering only that he was “departing the administration, effective immediately.” Navy Undersecretary Hung Cao will serve as acting secretary. The ouster comes as the administration faces growing scrutiny over its Iran strategy. A recent poll found three-quarters of Americans support an Iran ceasefire, even as war goals remain unmet.
Senator Lindsey Graham has warned of expanding the global blockade on Iranian oil exports, while critics argue the aggressive posture risks a broader conflict. The Pentagon’s decision to end mandatory flu vaccinations for all military personnel—covered in this report—has drawn separate criticism from lawmakers like Senator Roger Wicker.
As the standoff continues, the Strait of Hormuz remains a flashpoint, with both sides showing no signs of backing down. The U.S. military’s latest seizures underscore the administration’s determination to choke off Iranian oil revenue, even as diplomatic channels remain open.
