The US military has intercepted at least three Iranian-flagged oil tankers in Asian waters and is changing their course away from areas near India, Malaysia and Sri Lanka. Reuters reports this, citing sources in the shipping industry and security services.
According to the agency's interlocutors, the US actions are part of a maritime blockade of Iran, introduced against the backdrop of an escalation of the conflict. At the same time, Tehran is trying to impede shipping through the Strait of Hormuz by opening fire on ships.
These include the supertankers Deep Sea and Dorena, as well as the Sevin. The latter was about 65% full, while the Dorena was carrying about 2 million barrels of oil. According to CENTCOM, the Dorena is currently being escorted by a US Navy destroyer in the Indian Ocean after attempting to break the blockade.
Sources also report that another tanker, the Derya, could have been intercepted, which failed to unload in India before the end of the US waivers on Iranian oil purchases.
According to CENTCOM, since the blockade began, US forces have forced at least 31 ships to change course or return to port.
The Reuters article notes that almost two months after the start of the war between the US, Israel and Iran, there are no signs of resumption of negotiations. The closure of the Strait of Hormuz has already disrupted the supply of about a fifth of the world's oil and gas resources and triggered a global energy crisis.
In addition, Iran announced the detention of two ships that were trying to leave the Persian Gulf, the first such incidents since the start of hostilities.
Maritime security sources added that the US may move strikes on Iranian ships further from the Strait of Hormuz into open waters to reduce risks due to the possible presence of sea mines.
As Ukrainian News Agency earlier reported, on April 12, US President Donald Trump announced that the US Navy would begin a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz after peace talks between Washington and Tehran broke down.
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