The United States military announced on April 25th that naval forces successfully stopped a merchant ship attempting to evade Iranian sanctions while operating in the Arabian Sea.
Military officials identified the intercepted vessel as the Sevan, which they say belongs to a network of 19 ships known as a “shadow fleet” that helps transport Iranian petroleum and natural gas products to international buyers.
According to U.S. Central Command, Navy personnel from a helicopter launched from the guided-missile destroyer USS Pinckney carried out the interception operation. The military stated the vessel is “currently complying with U.S. military direction to turn back to Iran under escort.”
Central Command explained that Treasury Department sanctions target this shadow fleet because of their role in moving billions of dollars worth of Iranian energy exports, including oil, gas, propane and butane to overseas markets.
Military officials report that enforcement operations have successfully “redirected” a total of 37 vessels since the sanctions blockade operations began.
