US Navy Extends Blockade to Asian Waters as Pentagon Predicts Six-Month Operation to Clear Hormuz Mines

The US Navy has intercepted 3 Iranian tankers in Asian waters while the Pentagon warns that clearing Hormuz mines will take six months. Read the latest war news.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 23, 2026, 4:47 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from The Times of Israel

Strategic Interceptions Shift to the Indian Ocean

United States Central Command (CENTCOM) has intensified its maritime enforcement, successfully intercepting three Iranian-flagged tankers in Asian waters this week. Shipping and security sources confirmed on Wednesday that the US Navy is actively redirecting vessels near the coasts of India, Malaysia, and Sri Lanka to maintain a global blockade on Iranian trade. This tactical expansion comes as the Strait of Hormuz remains a high-risk zone, with US forces opting to target Iranian assets in the open sea rather than within the volatile confines of the Mideast Gulf. The shift highlights Washington’s commitment to a total economic embargo as the war enters its second month with no signs of renewed peace negotiations.

High-Value Supertankers Caught in the US Dragnet

Among the seized vessels is the Iranian-flagged supertanker Dorena, which was intercepted in the Indian Ocean while carrying a full load of 2 million barrels of crude oil. US Central Command confirmed via social media that the Dorena is currently under the escort of a US Navy destroyer after an attempted violation of the blockade. Other intercepted ships include the Deep Sea supertanker, last tracked off the Malaysian coast, and the Sevin, a smaller vessel carrying approximately 650,000 barrels of oil. These seizures represent a significant loss of revenue for Tehran and demonstrate the US Navy's ability to project power across vital Asian shipping lanes to enforce its diplomatic mandates.

Pentagon Issues Warning on Prolonged Hormuz Closure

In a classified briefing to the House Armed Services Committee on Tuesday, Pentagon officials provided a sobering timeline for the restoration of global energy flows. According to a person familiar with the briefing, the US military predicts it will take at least six months to safely clear the naval mines placed by Iran within the Strait of Hormuz. This protracted timeline suggests that the global energy crisis, which has already disrupted 20% of the world’s oil and gas supply, will persist through much of 2026. The complexity of the mine-clearing operation is exacerbated by the threat of floating mines, which continue to endanger commercial and military vessels attempting to navigate the narrow waterway.