Overview
- Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, speaking Friday at the Pentagon, said the naval blockade will continue and is expanding globally, with 34 vessels turned back and all traffic to or from Iranian ports under U.S. control.
- Enforcement now reaches well beyond the Gulf, with U.S. forces intercepting Iran-linked tankers in the Indian Ocean and Asian waters, including operations against the Majestic X and Tifani and reported diversions near India, Sri Lanka, and Malaysia.
- Fresh satellite images show Iran loading millions of barrels of crude at Kharg Island and a buildup of very large crude carriers at anchor, a move analysts say buys time before storage constraints force output cuts.
- Both Iran and the United States seized commercial ships this week, and the International Chamber of Shipping called the actions unlawful and urged the immediate release of crews who now face prolonged detention and uncertainty.
- Maritime risk firm MARISKS warned of fraudsters posing as Iranian authorities who demand Bitcoin or Tether “tolls” for transit, with one ship reported to have paid scammers before later coming under Iranian fire, as tens of thousands of seafarers remain stuck in the region.