US Navy Seizes M/T Majestic X — Third Tanker Under Blockade; Stateless Vessel Carrying Iranian Oil

The US military confirmed it had seized the M/T Majestic X in the Indian Ocean overnight on April 23, marking the third vessel detained under the Iran naval blockade. CENTCOM described the Majestic X as a 'sanctioned stateless vessel' transporting Iranian crude oil in violation of US-imposed sanctions. Marines boarded the vessel in a predawn operation. CENTCOM stated: 'The US military will continue global maritime enforcement to disrupt illicit networks and interdict vessels providing material support to Iran, wherever they operate.' The seizure followed the USS Spruance's boarding of the TOUSKA on April 19 and the TIFANI detention on April 21, escalating the dual-blockade dynamic — Iran seizing Western commercial ships in Hormuz while the US seizes Iranian oil tankers in the broader Indo-Pacific. US officials said the Majestic X's cargo would be forfeit. The dual-blockade has now seen four vessels detained in four days: IRGC seized MSC Francesca and Epaminondas on April 22; US Navy seized Majestic X April 23. The blockade involves 17 warships, 10,000 US troops, and over 100 aircraft, with 31 vessels turned back in total.