The vessel, identified as the Sevan, was intercepted by a US Navy helicopter operating from the guided-missile destroyer USS Pinckney (DDG 91). According to US Central Command (CENTCOM), the Sevan is one of 19 shadow fleet vessels sanctioned by the US Treasury Department for transporting billions of dollars worth of Iranian oil, gas, propane, and butane to foreign markets.
The ship is currently under US military escort and is following instructions to return to Iran.
CENTCOM reaffirmed that the US military is fully implementing the blockade of all vessels entering or leaving Iranian ports. Since the start of the operation, US forces have successfully diverted 37 vessels.