Tanker Hijack in Gulf of Aden as U.S. Forces Enforce Iran Blockade and Issue New Sanctions

GULF OF ADEN — Six armed persons boarded the tanker Seamull, also known as SIBU 1, 136 nautical miles east of Al Mukalla, Yemen, and redirected the vessel toward Somalia.

The tanker broadcasted a distress call on VHF 16 after an unauthorized vessel approached while the ship traveled west in the Gulf of Aden. Authorities are investigating.

JMIC Update 087 identified the vessel as Seamull (SIBU 1) and recorded attackers stating intent to proceed toward Bosaso, Somalia. The vessel appears on OFAC’s SDN List as blocked property linked to Iran’s shadow fleet petroleum trade.

Commercial ship-tracking data showed the tanker had listed Port Sudan as its destination and entered the Somalia High Risk Area on August 19. The AIS signal later disappeared after the distress message.

No official information has been released on the number or nationality of crew members, their condition, or the cargo currently aboard.

U.S. Central Command stated that as of August 20 its forces had redirected 67 commercial vessels, disabled 3, and boarded 2 while enforcing the U.S. blockade against Iran.

The George Washington Carrier Strike Group operates in the Middle East following arrival in the CENTCOM area of operations.

Locations Affected

• Gulf of Aden, 136 NM east of Al Mukalla, Yemen (approximate 14.5 N, 51.5 E derived from stated distance and bearing).

• Arabian Sea operating areas of USS Boxer and USS George Washington.

• Bosaso approaches, Somalia (stated redirection intent).

• Somalia High Risk Area entry recorded on August 19 by commercial tracking.

UKMTO/JMIC Location Discrepancy

• UKMTO Warning 118-26 and its Update 001 place the boarding 136 nautical miles east of Al Mukalla, Yemen.

• JMIC Update 087, issued the same day, records the same incident as occurring 34 nautical miles from the Yemeni coast while the vessel was transiting westbound in the central Gulf of Aden.

Both figures come from official coalition reporting on the identical event; the difference has not been reconciled in any subsequent release.

Confirmed Developments

• UKMTO Warning 118-26 and Update 001: tanker boarded by six armed persons, redirected to Somalia, 136 NM east of Al Mukalla.

• JMIC Update 087: vessel identified as Seamull (SIBU 1), intent stated toward Bosaso; six merchant vessels remain held including this incident.

• CENTCOM: 67 commercial vessels redirected, 3 disabled, 2 boarded as of August 20 under Iran blockade.

• OFAC August 20 actions: Hizballah re-designated under IRGC-QF linkage; 10 individuals designated for cash network supporting Hizballah and IRGC-QF.

• MSCIO confirmation of the same boarding and redirection of Seamull/SIBU 1 on August 20.

• AIS transmission of “PIRATE ONBOARD HELP” prior to loss of control.

• Commercial tracking data: Port Sudan destination listed and entry into Somalia High Risk Area on August 19; AIS signal subsequently disappeared.

U.S. Blockade Enforcement

CENTCOM reported progressive increases in redirected vessels: 65 as of August 19 and 67 as of August 20. USS Boxer (LHD 4) and USS George Washington (CVN 73) operate in the Arabian Sea. Forces continue compliance verification through redirection, disablement, and boarding.

Iran-Linked Sanctions and Statements

Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control designated individuals and updated Hizballah’s status to reflect direction by IRGC-Qods Force.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran stated the sanctions target fundamental human rights of Iranian citizens and constitute economic terrorism. President Trump’s statement framed the measures as economic D-Day requiring allies to isolate Iran.

The Seamull designation dates to December 18, 2025 under Executive Order 13902 for operations linked to Iran’s petroleum sector via Qatrat Alnada Almasi Ship Management L.L.C.

Official Statements

• President Donald J. Trump, August 20: “No one has given the Islamic Republic of Iran a greater opportunity to make a Deal than me. TRAGICALLY, for them, they have failed to take it. Therefore, today, I am announcing the MOST CRUSHING ECONOMIC OPERATION EVER TAKEN AGAINST ANY COUNTRY! This will be Economic Warfare and Isolation on an unprecedented scale. Their navy is gone, their air force is destroyed, their military factories are now rubble, their currency is worthless, and their country is hanging by a thread. Today, I am also announcing that ANY country that allows its financial institutions, businesses, airports, or government entities to provide any type of lifeline to Iran will itself face TREMENDOUS Economic Consequences. Oil smuggling, swap lines, cash transfers, exchange houses, ship registries, front companies — It all needs to stop NOW. You know who you are. This will be an ECONOMIC D-DAY, and we need all of our Allies to stand with the United States of America to isolate, and defeat, the Iran threat. These maniacs are on the ropes, and these HISTORIC MEASURES will cripple them and their ability to project terror worldwide. IRAN WILL NEVER HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION TO THIS MATTER. President DONALD J. TRUMP”

• Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran, August 20: “The US ruling body, coinciding with the anniversary of the shameful coup of 19 Mordad 1953, claimed to impose extensive economic and trade sanctions against the Iranian nation. This action is not only another sign of the continuation of 73 years of American policymakers’ animosity and hostility towards the Iranian people, but also proves the inhuman, lawless, and arrogant nature of the US ruling body. Without a doubt, the US economic sanctions against Iran, which target the fundamental human rights of every Iranian citizen, are an example of economic terrorism and a crime against humanity, and the perpetrators of these sanctions deserve to be tried and punished for committing such heinous crimes.”

• Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran, August 20: “Sanctions and economic pressure are the flip side of the coin of war and military aggression. The United States’ pompous announcement of new sanctions, while constituting an explicit admission of committing crimes against humanity, is a continuation of a policy that has already been tested and failed.”

• UKMTO, Warning 118-26 Update 001, August 20: “UKMTO have received confirmation that the tanker has been boarded by six armed persons who are now in control of the vessel and redirecting to Somalia. Authorities are investigating. Vessels are advised to transit with caution and report any suspicious activity to UKMTO.”

• UKMTO, Warning 118-26, August 20: “UKMTO has received a report of an incident 136NM east of Al Mukalla, Yemen. A tanker has broadcast a distress call on VHF 16 that they have been approached by an unauthorised vessel whilst travelling west in the Gulf of Aden.”

• U.S. Central Command, August 20: “U.S. Marine Corps MV-22B Osprey utility aircraft take off from the flight deck of USS Boxer (LHD 4) while the ship transits the Arabian Sea and continues to enforce the U.S. blockade against Iran. As of Aug. 20, U.S. forces have redirected 67 commercial vessels, disabled 3 and boarded 2 to ensure compliance.”