WASHINGTON (Dunya News) - The US forces have seized a vessel allegedly transporting Iranian oil in the Indian Ocean.
The US military claimed the ship was carrying oil from Iran and said it conducted a search of the vessel, identified as Majestic X.
The operation was carried out by the United States Indo-Pacific Command.
According to the United States Department of Defence, operations will continue to intercept vessels providing support to Iran, regardless of where they are operating from.
The department added that efforts will persist to prevent the movement of illegal actors and their vessels at sea, stressing that international waters cannot be used as a shield by entities subject to sanctions.
Overnight, U.S. forces carried out a maritime interdiction and right-of-visit boarding of the sanctioned stateless vessel M/T Majestic X transporting oil from Iran, in the Indian Ocean within the INDOPACOM area of responsibility. We will continue global maritime enforcement to… pic.twitter.com/SWF6Jt9Ci4
— Department of War (@DeptofWar) April 23, 2026Meanwhile, President Donald Trump has ordered a threefold increase in operations in the Strait of Hormuz, warning that no delay or leniency will be tolerated in the matter.
In a statement posted on social media, Trump directed the US Navy to target all vessels, regardless of size.
He further said that any boat involved in laying mines in the Strait of Hormuz would be destroyed without hesitation.
Trump claimed that 159 enemy naval vessels had already been sunk, adding that US minesweepers were actively working to clear the waterway.
Separately, the US president told media that there is no fixed timeline for extending the ceasefire with Iran.