U.S. seizes Iran-linked oil tanker in Indian Ocean: report

WASHINGTON, May 19 (Xinhua) -- The Trump administration seized an Iran-linked oil tanker in the Indian Ocean overnight, marking at least the third U.S. seizure of a vessel tied to Iranian oil shipments, The Wall Street Journal reported Tuesday, citing three U.S. officials.

Ship-tracking data showed the vessel, known as the Skywave, sailed just west of Malaysia on Tuesday after transiting the Malacca Strait, according to the report.

The vessel was likely loaded with more than 1 million barrels of crude at Iran's Kharg Island in February, according to brokers and data from Lloyds List Intelligence. It was heading back to the Middle East when it was seized, said the report.

The oil tanker was sanctioned by the United States in March for transporting Iranian oil, said the WSJ report.

The U.S. seized two other Iran-linked tankers, the Majestic X and Tifani, in the Indian Ocean in April. Enditem