Amid the ongoing maritime blockade of Iran, the United States military has detained at least three Iranian-flagged oil tankers in Asian waters and diverted them away from locations near India, Malaysia and Sri Lanka.The blockage comes as Washington tightened sanctions on Tehran’s maritime trade amid a fragile ceasefire in the ongoing conflict.According to Reuters, the US military has increasingly targeted ships outside the Strait of Hormuz, including in open waters, to reduce the threat posed by floating mines.The ships stopped included the supertankers Dorena, Deep Sea and Sevin. Dorena, carrying about 2 million barrels of crude oil, was last seen off the southern coast of India and is now being escorted by a US Navy destroyer in the Indian Ocean, according to Reuters.The partially laden Sevin and Deep Sea were last tracked near Malaysia.Shipping sources also indicated that another tanker, the Derya, may have been stopped after failing to offload Iranian crude in India before the US waivers expired, Reuters reported.
The blockade has tightened its grip on global oil flows
US Central Command said it has directed at least 29 ships to turn away or return to port since the blockade began, highlighting the scale of enforcement.The maritime standoff has significantly disrupted the global energy supply chain. The closure of the Strait of Hormuz – through which about 20% of the world’s oil and gas flows in normal times – has created a widespread energy crisis and sharply reduced exports.
Tension in the sea has increased amid stalled talks
Tensions have escalated in recent days, after Iran fired on ships and seized two container ships in the strategic waterway. The developments come despite US President Donald Trump extending the ceasefire to allow more time for diplomacy.However, prospects for renewed talks remain uncertain. Iran has accused the US of acting in “bad faith”, while planned talks in Islamabad have been delayed after Tehran did not confirm participation.With both sides continuing military and maritime actions, the standoff in key shipping routes shows no signs of abating, keeping the global energy market on edge.
