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The U.S. Defense Department said Tuesday that U.S. forces intercepted and boarded a "state-sanctioned" vessel in the Indo-Pacific area of responsibility as part of Washington's efforts to disrupt networks providing material support to Iran.
In a statement posted on X, the Pentagon said U.S. forces carried out a "right-of-visit, maritime interdiction and boarding" of the M/T Tifani overnight without incident. The exact location of the operation was not disclosed.
The Defense Department said the boarding was part of U.S. efforts against illicit networks that support Iran.
"Overnight, U.S. forces conducted a right-of-visit maritime interdiction and boarding of the stateless sanctioned M/T Tifani without incident in the INDOPACOM area of responsibility," the department said.
It added that the United States was determined "to disrupt illicit networks and interdict sanctioned vessels providing material support to Iran—anywhere they operate."
The Pentagon said the operation was conducted in the area of responsibility of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, or INDOPACOM.
That command oversees a broad region covering the Pacific and Indian oceans.
The statement noted that INDOPACOM does not cover the Gulf or the Strait of Hormuz, which fall under U.S. Central Command.
The Pentagon said international waters would not serve as a refuge for sanctioned vessels.
"International waters are not a refuge for sanctioned vessels," the department said in its post.
The statement included video footage showing helicopters landing on a large, bright orange tanker.
AFP identified the vessel as one affiliated with Iranian activity.
U.S. President Donald Trump has said he will maintain a blockade on Iran "until there is a deal" to end the war.
The vessel interception came as uncertainty remained Tuesday over whether a second round of negotiations between Tehran and Washington would take place in Islamabad.
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