The United States military has seized another oil tanker linked to Iran, further escalating tensions between both countries.
The vessel, identified as Majestic X, was intercepted on Thursday in the Indian Ocean, according to a statement from the U.S. Defence Department.
The action comes just a day after Iran’s Revolutionary Guards took control of two ships in the Strait of Hormuz, a key global oil route.
The Pentagon also released footage showing U.S. personnel on board the tanker, stating that the operation is part of ongoing efforts to disrupt networks involved in the smuggling of Iranian oil.
Officials said the tanker was located between Sri Lanka and Indonesia and was en route to China before it was seized. The ship, which flies a Guyana flag, had previously been sanctioned by U.S. authorities in 2024 over allegations of illegal crude oil transport.
There has been no immediate reaction from Iran regarding the latest seizure.
The development adds to rising tensions in the region, especially after Iran reportedly attacked three commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz and captured two of them.
Earlier in the week, President Donald Trump extended a ceasefire with Iran but maintained a naval blockade on Iranian ports.
The ongoing standoff has severely disrupted shipping activities through the strait, which handles about 20 per cent of global oil trade.
The impact is already being felt worldwide, with oil prices surging above $100 per barrel and the cost of goods rising across several regions.
European officials have also warned that the crisis could have long-term economic consequences, with daily losses running into hundreds of millions of euros.
Despite the tension, global stock markets have remained relatively stable, even as uncertainty continues over how the situation will unfold.
