US Forces Intercept, Turn Back Iran-Linked Tanker in Arabian Sea

The U.S. Central Command said the tanker began ‘complying with U.S. military direction to turn back to Iran under escort.’

Tankers anchored in the Strait of Hormuz off the coast of Qeshm Island, Iran, on April 18, 2026. Asghar Besharati/AP Photo

A U.S. Navy helicopter intercepted and turned back toward Iran a sanctioned petrochemical tanker in the Arabian Sea on April 25, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) has announced.

CENTCOM, which oversees military operations in the Middle East, said a Navy helicopter from guided-missile destroyer USS Pinckney was dispatched to intercept the tanker M/V Sevan. CENTCOM said the merchant vessel subsequently began “complying with U.S. military direction to turn back to Iran under escort.”