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

Tankers anchored in the Strait of Hormuz off the coast of Qeshm Island, Iran, on April 18, 2026. Asghar Besharati/AP PhotoA U.S. Navy helicopter intercepted and turned back toward Iran a sanctioned petrochemical tanker in the Arabian Sea on April 25, the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) 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.”