US Military Seizes Iranian-Linked Oil Tanker 'Majestic X' in Indian Ocean

The United States military has conducted a significant operation in the Indian Ocean against an oil tanker linked to Iran. The operation took place in the waters between Sri Lanka and Indonesia. A video of the military action has also surfaced, confirming the intervention by the US Department of Defense.

Seizure of Majestic X and Defense Department Statement

On Thursday, the US military seized another tanker involved in the smuggling of Iranian oil. The US Department of Defense announced that it had seized the oil tanker 'Majestic X' in the Indian Ocean. " This seizure follows an incident on Wednesday where Iran attacked three cargo ships in the Strait of Hormuz and took control of two of them.

Vessel Location and Military Footage

The US Department of Defense released a video of the ship's seizure, showing American soldiers on the deck of the vessel. The ship was reportedly en route to Zhoushan, China. Data monitoring ship movements revealed that 'Majestic X' was positioned in the Indian Ocean between Sri Lanka and Indonesia. This location is approximately the same area where the US military had previously seized the oil tanker 'Tiffany'.

2024 Sanctions and Smuggling Tactics

'Majestic X' is a Guyana-flagged oil tanker previously named 'Phoenix'. In 2024, the US Treasury Department imposed sanctions on the vessel for smuggling Iranian crude oil in violation of US sanctions against the Islamic Republic.

Regional Tensions and Maritime Attacks

Since the onset of conflict involving Iran, Israel, and the United States, more than 30 vessels have been attacked in the waters of the Persian Gulf, the Strait of Hormuz, and the Gulf of Oman. As of now, there has been no immediate official response from Iran regarding the news of this seizure by the US military.

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, 2026