US guided-missile destroyer intercepts Iranian-flagged ship, CENTCOM confirms

General Dan Caine delivered a press briefing at the Department of War detailing interdiction operations. He said the US will continue to enforce a strict maritime blockade against Iran and that the military remains prepared to resume major combat operations if ordered by the President. The blockade is enforced against all ships transiting to or from Iranian ports, with 34 ships having reportedly turned around as of Friday morning. He noted the operations extend into the Indo-Pacific and that vessels of interest are being tracked and acted upon as needed.

The guided-missile destroyer USS Rafael Peralta (DDG 115) intercepted an Iranian-flagged ship after monitoring it on April 24 as it attempted to sail to a port in Iran. The destroyer halted the vessel's progress, leading to a boarding and subsequent investigation by the crew.

A stateless tanker, Majestic X, also known as Ponix, was seized in the Indian Ocean under similar circumstances.

US forces intercepted the motor tanker Tiffany, a Very Large Crude Carrier carrying approximately 2 million barrels of sanctioned Iranian oil; both ship and crew remained in US custody.

The US began maritime interdiction operations against sanctioned and 'dark fleet' vessels globally, a campaign conducted in support of the Department of Justice to enforce a blockade of Iran and its ports.

General Dan Caine paid tribute to victims of the April 18, 1983 bombing of the US Embassy in Beirut, describing the attack as a pivotal moment in attacks against American personnel. He named four US service members among those killed and said leadership remains deeply humbled by their sacrifice.