U.S. forces intercepted a sanctioned merchant vessel in the Arabian Sea on Saturday and ordered it back toward Iran under escort, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said.
The vessel, identified as M/V Sevan, had been sanctioned a day earlier as part of a U.S. Treasury action against 19 “shadow fleet” ships, according to CENTCOM.
The Treasury sanctions targeted vessels accused of helping move Iranian energy, oil and gas products, including propane and butane, to foreign markets. CENTCOM said the transporting activity involved billions of dollars in shipments.
A U.S. Navy helicopter from the guided-missile destroyer USS Pinckney, DDG 91, intercepted the Sevan in the Arabian Sea, the command said in the statement.
The merchant vessel was complying with U.S. military direction to turn back toward Iran under escort, according to the statement.
CENTCOM said U.S. forces are continuing to enforce U.S. sanctions and carry out the blockade against ships entering or leaving Iranian ports.
The command said 37 vessels have been redirected since the blockade began.
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