Breaking News... Footage released: US seizes oil tanker bound for Iran! First statement from Trump

The US Department of Defense announced that American naval forces intervened in an oil tanker in the Indo-Pacific region overnight. The statement noted that the operation targeted a vessel on the sanctions list for allegedly providing financial support to Iran.

According to information provided by the ministry, US forces conducted an interdiction and boarding operation at sea on the crude oil tanker M/T Tifani, which was identified as "stateless" within the INDOPACOM area of responsibility. It was stated that the vessel, which was reported to be flying the flag of Botswana, did not offer any resistance to the operation.

DETECTED IN THE INDIAN OCEAN

Information was shared that the tanker was heading toward Singapore and was last detected in the Indian Ocean.

“NO SAFE HAVEN FOR SANCTIONED VESSELS”

In its statement, the US Department of Defense emphasized that global inspections of vessels allegedly providing financial support to Iran would continue. The statement declared, “International waters are not a safe haven for sanctioned vessels.”

STATEMENT FROM TRUMP

Trump announced that the cargo ship seized by US forces was carrying “a gift from China.”

Making a statement following the operation on the ship, US President Trump noted that he "does not want to extend the ceasefire with Iran," adding, "The Strait of Hormuz is completely under our control. I think we will eventually make a very good deal. They have no other choice. We are fully prepared; we are much stronger than we were before the ceasefire. We used the ceasefire to replenish our stocks; they have probably replenished theirs a bit as well."