US Navy intercepts Iranian oil tankers amid Hormuz blockade

The United States military has intercepted at least three Iranian-flagged oil tankers in Asian waters and redirected them away from positions near India, Malaysia, and Sri Lanka, amid an ongoing maritime blockade on Iran that has severely disrupted global energy supply chains. The vessels targeted include the supertankers Dorena, carrying approximately 2 million barrels of crude and now under escort by a US Navy destroyer off India's southern coast, the Deep Sea, and the Sevin, which was partially loaded and last tracked near Malaysia. The US Central Command has directed at least 29 vessels to turn back or return to port since the blockade began. The actions come as Iran fired on ships and seized two container vessels in the strategic Strait of Hormuz, marking its first seizures since the conflict began nearly two months ago, after the US and Israel initiated their war against Iran. The closure of the Strait of Hormuz, through which about one-fifth of the world's oil and gas flows, has triggered a wider energy crisis and sharply reduced exports, with Iran attacking vessels to prevent their passage through the waterway. Despite President Donald Trump extending a ceasefire to allow more time for diplomacy, citing a "grave fracture" in Iran's government, prospects for renewed peace talks remain uncertain. Iran has accused the United States of acting in "bad faith," and planned negotiations in Islamabad were delayed after Tehran did not confirm participation, with Iranian state media reporting that negotiators would not attend talks they consider a "waste of time." The lack of commitment from Iran reportedly led Vice President JD Vance to interrupt his travel to participate in peace negotiations. The escalating maritime tensions have rattled Asian-Pacific markets, reversing early gains that had pushed Japan's Nikkei 225 and South Korea's Kospi to new record highs. The Nikkei closed down 0.75% at 59,140.23 points, while South Korea's Kospi ended 0.90% higher at 6,475.81 points despite earlier record intraday highs. Meanwhile, South Korea's economy expanded 1.7% in the first quarter, exceeding analyst expectations of 1% growth and marking its strongest performance since the third quarter of 2020. The ongoing standoff in key shipping routes has kept global energy markets on edge, with Japan's manufacturing sector expanding at its fastest pace in four years in April as companies increased production over supply concerns related to Middle East tensions.