Pentagon says it boarded an Iran-linked vessel on Indian Ocean
The Pentagon posted a video on social media Thursday showing what it says is U.S. forces boarding a vessel on the Indian Ocean with ties to Iran.
The post alleged that the “sanctioned stateless vessel” was transporting oil from Iran. The United States has instituted a blockade of all vessels using Iranian ports.
“We will continue global maritime enforcement to disrupt illicit networks and interdict vessels providing material support to Iran, wherever they operate,” the Department of Defense posted on social media. “International waters cannot be used as a shield by sanctioned actors.”
The video posted by the department shows U.S. forces boarding the Majestic X by rappelling from helicopters.
The interdiction is one in a series of back-and-forth seizures by the United States and Iran. It is the second ship seized by the United States while Iran seized two cargo ships on the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday.
The Philippine government said Thursday that 15 people who were aboard the cargo ships seized by Iran are “safe and unharmed.” They are being held by Iranian forces and the ships are being kept on the Iranian coastline.
President Donald Trump has extended the two-week ceasefire with Iran that was set to expire on Wednesday, ordering that the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz remain in place.
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This story was originally published April 23, 2026 at 10:06 AM.