U.S. forces preparing to seize Iranian vessels

Darwin, 19 April: The United States military is preparing to inspect and seize Iranian-linked oil tankers and commercial vessels in international waters.

According to a report by The Wall Street Journal on Saturday, citing U.S. officials, this move comes amid rising tensions between the United States and Iran centered around the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz.

Due to retaliatory actions from both sides, maritime traffic through one of the world’s most গুরুত্বপূর্ণ energy transit routes remains unsafe. Nearly one-fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG) passes through this strait.

Following the failure of talks with Pakistan without any agreement, the United States imposed a blockade on Iranian ports starting Monday (April 14).

Tehran has claimed that this move violates the terms of a ceasefire. In response, Iran began restricting international shipping through the strait. Although Iran initially declared the route open today, it soon issued warnings to mariners that the key passage had been closed again.

U.S. President Donald Trump took a firm stance on the issue, stating that Iran cannot blackmail the United States by threatening to shut down the Strait of Hormuz.

He added that although discussions between the two countries are ongoing, any attempt by Tehran to block the oil transport corridor is unacceptable.

Meanwhile, some commercial vessels reportedly received radio messages from the Iranian navy today, informing them that navigation through the Strait of Hormuz is not permitted. In light of the situation, U.S. forces are preparing to seize Iranian-linked vessels in international waters.