A U.S. Navy MH-53E Sea Dragon helicopter flies over U.S. and U.K. Navy ships during a U.S. and U.K. Mine Countermeasures Exercise (MCMEX) taking place at the Arabian Sea, September 10, 2018. REUTERS/Hamad I Mohammed
By Sam Kim and Tony Czuczka
Apr 25, 2026 (Bloomberg) –US naval forces intercepted a sanctioned vessel in the Arabian Sea on Saturday as part of the Trump administration’s blockade of Iranian energy exports, according to US Central Command.
The M/V Sevan was among 19 “shadow fleet” vessels sanctioned by the US Treasury Department on Friday for its links to “transporting billions of dollars worth of Iranian energy, oil and gas products, including propane and butane, to foreign markets,” Central Command said in a statement.
On Saturday, the US deployed a Navy helicopter to intercept the merchant vessel, which subsequently complied with US military direction to turn back to Iran under escort, according to Central Command.
The Sevan, a tanker that has carried Iranian cargoes in the past, was tracked this week approaching the Strait of Hormuz. The ship is owned and managed by Dubai-based Anka Energy & Logistics Co.
US forces are continuing to enforce the blockade against ships entering or departing Iranian ports and 37 vessels have been redirected since the start of the measures, Centcom said.
President Donald Trump earlier Saturday called off a trip by his top envoys to Pakistan for potential talks on a deal with Iran, casting doubt on the future of a ceasefire between the two sides.
© 2026 Bloomberg L.P.
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