The Iranian military has stated that an Iranian oil tanker entered the country’s territorial waters despite warnings issued by United States naval forces.
According to Mehr News Agency on April 21, the army said the tanker, identified as Sili City, entered Iranian waters after transiting the Arabian Sea with operational support from Iran’s navy.
“Despite the naval blockade and warnings from the US military, the tanker entered the country via the Arabian Sea last night. The tanker docked at a port in southern Iran,” read part of the statement.
The tanker is currently anchored at one of Iran’s southern port anchorages.
Iran Reports Oil Tanker Sili City Arrived in Territorial Waters
This comes after the United States military seized an Iranian container ship near the Gulf on Monday, April 20, amid rising tensions in the region.
The US Central Command (CENTCOM) and President Donald Trump said the vessel, identified as Touska, was intercepted after allegedly failing to comply with orders to divert from its planned route through the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran has condemned the incident, describing the seizure as “maritime piracy” and warning of possible retaliation.
Also Read: Iran Warns of Grave Consequences After US Interception of Cargo Ship
According to the US military, the Touska was traveling from the Arabian Sea toward the Strait of Hormuz and intended to proceed to Iran’s port of Bandar Abbas.
“After Touska’s crew failed to comply with repeated warnings over a six-hour period, Spruance directed the vessel to evacuate its engine room. American forces acted in a deliberate, professional, and proportional manner to ensure compliance,” part of the CENTCOM statement read.
Since the blockade’s commencement, U.S. forces have directed 25 commercial vessels to turn around or return to an Iranian port.
Also Read: US Marines Seize Iranian Ship After Decisive Six‑Hour Standoff
US CENTCOM Announces Maritime Blockade on Iranian Ports
The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) announced that it will begin enforcing a maritime blockade on all traffic entering and exiting Iranian ports starting April 13 at 10 a.m. ET, in line with a presidential directive issued on April 12, 2026.
According to CENTCOM, the blockade will apply to vessels of all nationalities operating in and out of Iranian ports, including those along the Arabian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman.
However, the command clarified that the measures will not restrict freedom of navigation for ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz to and from non-Iranian destinations.
Mariners were advised to monitor official “Notice to Mariners” advisories ahead of the blockade’s implementation and maintain communication with U.S. naval forces while operating in the Gulf of Oman and approaches to the Strait of Hormuz.
