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U.S. Navy Tightens Grip on Iran, Boards Sanctioned Oil Tanker

President Trump authorizes 'shoot and kill' orders for mine-laying vessels as the U.S. blockade chokes off Tehran's illicit revenue.

Foreign PolicyPublished April 23, 2026 at 8:45 PM
A grey military helicopter hovers on top of a oil tanker, a soldier sliding down a rope towards the top deck as another uniformed soldier waits. The deck is lined with oil transportation equipment, including green pipes

The United States is projecting strength in the Indian Ocean, with the Department of Defense confirming a maritime interdiction of the M/T Majestic X, a ship caught carrying sanctioned Iranian oil.

This operation is part of a broader, successful strategy to cut off the regime's lifeblood by enforcing a blockade on all maritime traffic entering or leaving Iranian ports. Since the blockade began on April 13, U.S. Central Command has already forced 33 vessels to turn back, proving that the U.S. is serious about stopping material support for Tehran.

President Trump has made his position clear: the blockade is 100% effective, and the regime is feeling the pressure. In a decisive move to protect the Strait of Hormuz, the President has authorized the U.S. Navy to 'shoot and kill' any hostile boats attempting to lay mines in the shipping channel.

The Pentagon has flatly rejected defeatist assessments that clearing the strait could take months, labeling such suggestions as unacceptable. While the Iranian regime attempts to project a facade of unity, their economy is in freefall, and their leadership remains in disarray following the elimination of the Khamenei dynasty.

President Trump remains unmoved by the regime's empty rhetoric, noting that while the U.S. has the patience to wait for a real deal, the clock is ticking for Tehran.

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iranforeign-policynational-securitytrumpmilitary

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