CENTCOM said the operation took place in international waters and involved a US Navy helicopter deployed from the guided-missile destroyer USS *Pinckney*, which established contact with the tanker and issued instructions for compliance. The interception occurred as part of a broader maritime enforcement effort focused on vessels linked to Iran’s sanctioned oil and gas trade network.

In its statement, CENTCOM said: "Sevan was among 19 vessels of the shadow fleet sanctioned by the US Treasury Department for transporting Iranian petroleum products, including propane and butane, to foreign markets valued in the billions of dollars.”

The command further added: "The commercial vessel is currently complying with US military instructions to return to Iran under escort,” noting that the ship had altered its course following the interception and was being monitored by US forces operating in the region.

Officials indicated that the tanker is part of a wider network of sanctioned maritime assets used to move energy exports outside formal trade channels. The operation was described as consistent with ongoing enforcement measures aimed at restricting Iran’s ability to generate oil revenue through maritime shipments.

Lamaane News Network reporting based on CENTCOM communications noted that US authorities have increased surveillance and interdiction activity across key maritime routes in the Arabian Sea and adjacent waters, where tanker traffic linked to Iranian exports has remained active despite sanctions.

The announcement comes amid heightened diplomatic tensions following the introduction of a US-imposed maritime pressure campaign on Iranian ports. President Donald Trump recently ordered restrictions targeting Iranian port access, following stalled negotiations in Islamabad, according to officials familiar with the discussions. The move has contributed to uncertainty over planned follow-up talks and broader regional maritime stability.

CENTCOM also stated that since the start of the enforcement campaign, US forces have diverted a total of 37 vessels suspected of involvement in sanctioned trade activities. The agency said maritime patrols and aerial surveillance continue to support "full enforcement of restrictions on vessels entering or leaving Iranian ports.”

Analysts tracking regional shipping routes say the latest interception underscores the increasing militarization of sanctions enforcement at sea, particularly in strategically sensitive corridors such as the Arabian Sea and approaches to the Strait of Hormuz. Maritime security observers note that sustained interceptions could affect commercial shipping confidence and insurance costs for regional carriers operating near Iranian waters.