USS Rafael Peralta Intercepts Iranian Oil Tanker Amid Rising Tensions
The USS Rafael Peralta has intercepted the Iranian oil tanker M/T Stream, preventing it from reaching its destination. This action is part of a broader U.S. maritime enforcement campaign aimed at Iranian ports, intensifying the already strained relations between Washington and Tehran. The Iranian Foreign Ministry has condemned the U.S. actions as piracy, following the seizure of other Iranian tankers. As diplomatic tensions rise, the U.S. continues to monitor maritime traffic closely, directing numerous vessels to turn back. This incident highlights the ongoing complexities of U.S.-Iran relations in the region.
| Apr 28, 2026, 16:49 IST
USS Rafael Peralta Stops Iranian Oil Tanker
The United States Central Command (CENTCOM) has announced that the guided-missile destroyer USS Rafael Peralta intercepted the M/T Stream on Sunday, preventing the vessel from reaching its intended destination.
According to a statement from CENTCOM, the American warship halted the tanker as it attempted to head towards an Iranian port. In a social media post featuring images of both vessels, officials clarified that this action was part of the U.S. blockade of Iranian ports. The M/T Stream has been identified as a crude oil tanker operating under the Iranian flag, and marine analytics provider MarineTraffic indicated, as reported by Al Jazeera, that the ship was last tracked approximately 13 days ago in the Malacca Strait of Southeast Asia.
This recent incident has heightened maritime tensions between Washington and Tehran. Iran's Foreign Ministry previously launched a sharp attack on the U.S., accusing the Biden administration of 'maritime piracy and armed robbery' after seizing two other Iran-related tankers, Majestic X and Tifani. The M/T Stream was intercepted at a time when U.S. forces are conducting a stringent maritime enforcement campaign in the region. Official statements released yesterday indicated that these forces are actively preventing vessels from entering or exiting Iranian waters as part of ongoing monitoring and control efforts at strategic coastal centers.
Highlighting the scale of this operation, a post on X confirmed that 'since the sanctions were implemented, U.S. forces have directed 38 vessels to turn back or return to port.'
In parallel with these naval restrictions, diplomatic tensions remain high, as a CNN report indicated that U.S. President Donald Trump signaled on Monday his intention to reject Tehran's most recent proposal aimed at resolving the ongoing conflict.