US Intercepts Sanctioned Tanker in Arabian Sea Maritime Activity Reports, Inc. April 26, 2026 Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Pinckney (DDG 91) conducts blockade operations, April 17, 2026. Pinckney is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations to support maritime security and stability in the Middle East. (U.S. Navy photo) U.S. Central Command said it intercepted a merchant vessel trying to get through the blockade of Iran on Saturday. The ship, identified as the Sevan, was part of a 19-vessel "shadow fleet" transporting Iranian oil and gas products to foreign markets, the U.S. military said. Central Command said it was intercepted in the Arabian Sea by a U.S. Navy helicopter from the guided-missile destroyer USS Pinckney and was "currently complying with U.S. military direction to turn back to Iran under escort." The “shadow fleet” vessels have been sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury Department for activities related to transporting billions of dollars' worth of Iranian energy, oil and gas products, including propane and butane, to foreign markets, Central Command said. Since the blockade began, 37 ships have been "redirected," the U.S. military said. STARMER AND TRUMP TALK British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and U.S. President Donald Trump discussed the urgent need to get shipping moving again in the Strait of Hormuz during a call on Sunday, a Downing Street spokesperson said. "The leaders discussed the urgent need to get shipping moving again in the Strait of Hormuz, given the severe consequences for the global economy and cost of living for people in the UK and globally," the spokesperson for Starmer's office said in a statement. "The prime minister shared the latest progress on his joint initiative with President (Emmanuel) Macron to restore freedom of navigation," the spokesperson added. ENERGY SHORTAGE WARNING Meanwhile, French President Emmanuel Macron reiterated on Saturday that he was focused on efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz,