U.S. Seized Iran-Linked Oil Tanker in the Indian Ocean
Move comes as Trump keeps economic pressure on Iran amid threats to resume military strikes
Updated May 19, 2026 The Wall Street Journal
The U.S. seized an Iran-linked oil tanker in the Indian Ocean overnight, according to three U.S. officials, as President Trump threatens to resume military strikes on Iran.
The tanker, known as the Skywave, was sanctioned by the U.S. in March for its role in transporting Iranian oil. Ship-tracking data showed it sailing just west of Malaysia on Tuesday after transiting the Malacca Strait.
The ship was likely loaded with more than 1 million barrels of crude at Iran’s Kharg Island in February, according to brokers and data from Lloyds List Intelligence. It couldn’t be determined if the ship unloaded the oil in Asia. It was sailing in an area known for shadowy ship-to-ship transfers, and was heading back to the Middle East when it was seized.
It marks at least the third time the U.S. has seized an oil tanker in connection with its crackdown on Iran-linked shadow-fleet vessels. The actions are separate from the U.S. blockade of Iranian ports, which is being carried out in the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea. The U.S. seized other Iran-linked tankers, the Majestic X and Tifani, in the Indian Ocean in April.
The shadow fleet is an armada of around 1,000 old and uninsured tankers that use deceptive practices to move sanctioned and illicit oil. They are known for shipping Iranian and Russian crude exports to countries like China and India.
Gen. Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, announced the effort to go after Iran-linked shadow-fleet vessels in mid-April, saying the U.S. would “actively pursue any Iranian-flagged vessel or any vessel attempting to provide material support to Iran.”
The Trump administration has continued to pressure Tehran to agree to U.S. demands related to its nuclear program. Trump told reporters Tuesday that he had been “an hour away” from making a decision to order new military strikes on Iran, but had held off at the request of Gulf allies.
The Pentagon didn’t respond to a request for comment.
The seizure comes just days after Trump returned from a trip to China, where he discussed the Iran war with Chinese leader Xi Jinping. The Trump administration has hoped China would do more to pressure Iran into reopening the Strait of Hormuz and reach a deal to end the war.
In addition to sanctioning shadow-fleet vessels, the Treasury Department has also sanctioned the Chinese “teapot” refineries that buy much of Iran’s oil. It has also announced a flurry of other measures aimed at cutting off China’s support for the country.