U.S. Navy Seizes Tankers as Trump Postpones Major Iran Strike

The United States is intensifying a maritime blockade against Iran, seizing and redirecting vessels to pressure Tehran into reopening the Strait of Hormuz and ending a conflict that began in February 2026. On May 19 and 20, U.S. forces seized the Skywave in the Indian Ocean, identifying it as part of a shadow fleet transporting sanctioned crude. On May 20, U.S. Marines from the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit boarded and redirected the Iranian-flagged M/T Celestial Sea in the Gulf of Oman after it was suspected of attempting to breach the blockade.

These operations coincide with a decision by President Donald Trump to postpone a "very major attack" planned for Tuesday, following requests from Gulf allies to allow negotiations to proceed. Despite the pause in strikes, U.S. Central Command reports that forces have redirected 91 commercial ships and disabled four vessels since the blockade began in mid-April. Simultaneously, the U.S. Treasury Department has sanctioned Chinese refineries for processing Iranian oil.

Maritime disruptions have left 1,550 vessels from 87 countries stranded in the Persian Gulf, contributing to global energy volatility and rising U.S. gasoline prices. In response, the U.S. Senate advanced legislation in a 50-47 vote to force a withdrawal from the conflict. Meanwhile, some crude shipments have resumed, as three supertankers carrying six million barrels of oil exited the Strait of Hormuz on May 20 using an Iranian-mandated transit route.