Key facts
- US forces intercepted the sanctioned oil tanker Davina in the Indian Ocean.
- The Davina tanker was carrying nearly two million barrels of crude oil.
- The tanker was sanctioned in October 2024 for Iranian oil trading.
Iran's navy fired warning missiles and drones at US warships in the Gulf of Oman, accusing them of harassment. This occurred after US forces intercepted the sanctioned oil tanker Davina in the Indian Ocean, which was carrying nearly two million barrels of crude oil.
The incident escalates tensions between Iran and the US in a critical global shipping corridor, potentially impacting oil prices and maritime security.
US forces intercepted the sanctioned stateless oil tanker Davina in the Indian Ocean, a move announced by the US military's Indo-Pacific Command as part of Washington's blockade on Iran's sea trade. The Davina, capable of carrying up to two million barrels of crude oil, was sanctioned in October 2024 for Iranian oil trading. Ship tracking data showed the vessel was almost fully laden with oil. The Indo-Pacific Command stated that maritime enforcement operations will continue to disrupt illicit networks providing material support to Iran. In a separate but related development, Iran's navy reported firing warning missiles and drones at US warships in the Gulf of Oman, accusing the US Navy of harassing maritime traffic. The Davina was sanctioned in 2024 by the US Treasury, which said it had delivered oil from Iran to China.