A U.S. Navy destroyer intercepted two oil tankers near Iran on Tuesday, instructing them to turn around, a U.S. defense official told Reuters. The official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the incident occurred in the Gulf of Oman.
The action follows the implementation of a U.S. maritime security initiative aimed at enforcing sanctions and preventing illicit oil shipments. The initiative, which involves increased naval patrols, was announced by the U.S. administration earlier this month.
Iranian officials have not publicly commented on this specific incident. Tensions in the region's strategic waterways have persisted due to international sanctions on Iran's oil exports and previous seizures of vessels.
The U.S. Navy's Fifth Fleet, which operates in the region, stated it remains committed to ensuring the free flow of commerce and deterring destabilizing activities. Further details on the tankers' flags or destinations were not immediately released.
