U.S. Navy Seizes Sanctioned Oil Tanker in Indian Ocean Operation

On April 13, the U.S. military announced a ban on maritime traffic linked to Iran, including vessels bound for or departing Iranian ports, following a directive issued by U.S. President Donald Trump.

U.S. naval activity has extended beyond the Arabian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman into the Indian Ocean, where a sanctioned oil tanker was reportedly intercepted.

In this report, Misbar’s team at Al Araby TV examines details of the sanctioned oil tanker reportedly intercepted, tracing its route and key available information.

TIFANI Oil Tanker: What We Know

TIFANI oil tanker, identified by IMO number 9273337, is flagged to Botswana. Maritime tracking data show it is currently sailing in Southeast Asia at about 6 knots, with a draft of roughly 20 meters, indicating it remains loaded.

The vessel is estimated to be carrying around 2 million barrels of crude oil, which ship-tracking data suggest was loaded from Iran’s Kharg Island earlier this month.

Tracking data show the tanker declared Singapore as its destination after departing the Gulf of Oman. It passed Sri Lanka’s Dondra Head on April 19 and entered Southeast Asia the following day.

On April 21, the U.S. Department of Defense said it had conducted a maritime inspection of a tanker within the area of responsibility of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, on suspicion of links to sanctioned activity.

Oil Tanker Data Changes and Sanctions Listing

Ship records show the vessel has changed its name and flag several times since 2020, operating under various national flags and multiple identities before adopting the name “TIFANI.”

Data also indicate the tanker has been included on U.S. sanctions lists since July 2025, over alleged links to a ship management company and its involvement in transporting Iranian oil through ship-to-ship transfers.

Amid increased scrutiny of maritime traffic linked to Iran, the case reflects broader regional maritime tensions and the overlap between military enforcement and commercial shipping routes, at a time when details of some reported operations remain unconfirmed, underscoring the need for continued monitoring and verification.

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