The United States military announced that it has seized an Iranian vessel from the so-called 'shadow fleet' in the Arabian Sea. According to the US Central Command (CENTCOM), the ship, identified as M/V Sevan, was intercepted by a US Navy helicopter earlier in the day. The vessel was reportedly carrying fuel, oil, and gas products worth billions of dollars for foreign markets. It is now under guard and following US military instructions to return to Iran.

CENTCOM stated that the M/V Sevan is one of 19 ships recently listed under US Treasury Department sanctions for involvement in Iran’s shadow fleet operations. Earlier this month, US forces had declared their intent to intercept or redirect vessels traveling to and from Iranian ports. CENTCOM also claimed that a full blockade of Iran’s ports is currently being enforced.

The seizure marks another step in Washington’s ongoing efforts to curb Iran’s sanctioned energy trade through maritime enforcement in the region.