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The US military has intercepted at least three Iranian-flagged oil tankers in Asian waters and redirected them away from locations near India, Malaysia and Sri Lanka, amid an ongoing naval blockade of Iran.The interceptions come as Washington tightens restrictions on Tehran’s seaborne trade during a fragile ceasefire in the ongoing conflict.
He watches
The US blockade of Iran faces challenges as the movement of oil continues through the Strait of Hormuz
According to Reuters, US forces have increasingly targeted ships outside the Strait of Hormuz, including in open waters, to reduce the risk of floating mines.Among the ships intercepted were the supertankers Dorina, Deep Sea, and Seven. The Dorina, which is carrying about 2 million barrels of crude oil, was last seen off the southern coast of India and is now being guarded by a US Navy destroyer in the Indian Ocean, according to Reuters.The partially loaded Seven and the Deep Sea were tracked near Malaysia.Shipping sources also indicated that another tanker, the Deria, may have been intercepted after it failed to unload its cargo of Iranian crude in India before the end of the US exemption period, Reuters reported.
The blockade tightens its grip on global oil flows
US Central Command said it had directed at least 29 ships to turn back or return to port since the blockade began, highlighting the scale of the implementation.
The naval standoff has significantly disrupted global energy supply chains. The closure of the Strait of Hormuz – through which about 20% of the world’s oil and gas flows in normal times – sparked a broader energy crisis and a sharp decline in exports.
Escalation at sea amid faltering talks
Tensions have escalated in recent days, with Iran firing on ships and seizing two container ships in the strategic waterway. These developments come despite US President Donald Trump extending the ceasefire to allow more time for diplomacy.However, the prospects for resuming talks remain uncertain. Iran accused the United States of acting in “bad faith,” while negotiations scheduled in Islamabad were postponed after Tehran did not confirm its participation.As both sides continue military and naval actions, the standoff on key shipping routes shows little sign of abating, keeping global energy markets on edge.