U.S. forces conducted a maritime interdiction in part of Operation Epic Fury, boarding and seizing an oil tanker tied to Iran’s illicit oil trade overnight without incident, as announced by the Department of War.
“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,” the post reads.
Following the operation, assessments associated the vessel with providing material support to Iran through illicit oil shipments, included in the X announcement.
“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,” the post reiterates in strength. “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.”
The Department of War’s post on X features photographs of U.S. forces boarding and seizing the vessel tied to Iran mid-day, accompanied by footage of relaxed U.S. forces re-boarding their aircraft in time for evening chow at 1600 hours. While successful without incident, the action highlights President Trump’s commitment to suffocating networks supplying the Iranian regime that harms U.S. troops abroad.
