US Military Seizes Majestic X Tanker, Suspected of Smuggling Iranian Oil
US military forces have seized the tanker Majestic X in the Indian Ocean, which is strongly suspected of being part of an Iranian oil smuggling network. The stateless vessel was intercepted and searched just one day after tensions escalated due to Iran’s actions in the Strait of Hormuz.
The Pentagon, as reported by Anadolu Agency and Associated Press on Friday (24/4/2026), released video footage showing US military personnel on the deck of the Majestic X during the interception operation in the Indian Ocean.
“Last night, US forces conducted maritime prevention and a search based on visit rights against the sanctioned stateless vessel, M/T Majestic X,” stated the Pentagon via social media platform X on Thursday (23/4).
“We will continue to enforce global maritime law to disrupt illegal networks and intercept vessels providing material support to Iran, wherever they operate,” the Pentagon emphasised.
The operation was carried out in the area of responsibility of INDOPACOM, the US Indo-Pacific Command.
Tracking data shows the Majestic X was in the waters of the Indian Ocean, specifically between Sri Lanka and Indonesia. This location is estimated to be the same as the point where the US forces previously seized the tanker Tifani. The vessel was known to be sailing towards Zhoushan, China.
The Pentagon affirmed that international waters will not serve as a “shield” for sanctioned parties.
The seizure of the Majestic X occurred one day after Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) attacked three cargo ships in the Strait of Hormuz and took control of two of them.
Iran has yet to comment on the incident.
The ship tracking platform Tanker Trackers reported that the vessel, previously named Phonix, has facilitated the export of 20 million barrels of Iranian oil since 2023. The ship was sanctioned by the US Department of the Treasury in 2024 for smuggling Iranian crude oil.
Although flying the flag of Guyana, Tanker Trackers stated that the use of that flag was without the permission of the country.