Florida, April 28 (ANI): U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said the guided-missile destroyer USS Rafael Peralta intercepted the tanker M/T Stream on Sunday, preventing it from reaching an Iranian port.
According to a CENTCOM statement, the U.S. warship stopped the vessel after it attempted to sail toward Iran. The action was carried out as part of the ongoing U.S. blockade of Iranian ports.
In a social media post accompanied by images of both vessels, officials said the interception was part of efforts to enforce restrictions on maritime movement linked to Iran.
The M/T Stream is identified as a crude oil tanker operating under the Iranian flag. Maritime analytics firm MarineTraffic, cited by Al Jazeera, reported that the vessel was last tracked in the Strait of Malacca about 13 days earlier.
The latest interception adds to rising maritime tensions between Washington and Tehran.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry has previously criticized the United States, accusing it of “piracy and armed robbery on the high seas” following earlier seizures of Iran-linked tankers, including the Majestic X and the Tifani.
The incident comes as U.S. forces continue a broader maritime enforcement operation in the region, aimed at restricting vessels from entering or leaving Iranian waters.
According to official statements, the U.S. military is closely monitoring shipping traffic to ensure compliance with the restrictions. A recent update noted that American forces have directed 38 vessels to turn back or return to port since the enforcement began.
At the same time, diplomatic tensions remain elevated. U.S. President Donald Trump has indicated he may reject a recent proposal from Tehran aimed at resolving the standoff, according to a CNN report.
The proposal reportedly outlined a framework to reopen the Strait of Hormuz while postponing discussions on Iran’s nuclear program. However, sources familiar with the matter said the U.S. administration remains cautious about the terms.
Despite public statements, individuals involved in mediation efforts have suggested that the two sides may be closer to a resolution than rhetoric indicates, with back-channel negotiations continuing. (ANI)
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