Trump administration considers seizing Iranian oil tankers amid fears of escalation in Strait of Hormuz

International press reports have revealed ongoing consultations within the administration of US President Donald Trump to discuss the possibility of seizing Iranian oil tankers. This proposed step aims to exert maximum pressure on Tehran to push it towards concluding a new and comprehensive political agreement, but the administration is still considering the potential consequences of this decision.

Informed sources stated that the option of seizing ships was raised as a key pressure tool coinciding with the start of the first round of negotiations in the Omani capital, Muscat. Despite the seriousness of the proposal, there is a kind of hesitation in the White House for fear that this step could lead to an unresolved naval confrontation in vital waterways.

Estimates indicate that any US move to detain tankers could be met with a similar Iranian response targeting ships of Washington's allied countries in the region. Serious concerns also arise that Tehran might plant naval mines in the Strait of Hormuz, the passage through which about a quarter of the world's oil supplies flow daily, threatening global energy security.

Observers warned that disrupting navigation or seizing ships would inevitably lead to a sharp jump in crude oil prices. This scenario could put the Trump administration in the face of a domestic political storm, especially with the direct impact on the US economy from any disruption in fuel and energy costs resulting from military tensions.

In a related context, Washington continues its campaign against what is known as the 'shadow fleet,' a group of ships used by Iran and Venezuela to circumvent international sanctions. US authorities have already succeeded in the past two months in detaining several ships that were transporting oil to international buyers, primarily China.

According to data from the US Treasury Department, more than 20 vessels linked to Iranian oil transport have been placed on sanctions lists this year alone. These ships are considered potential legal targets for seizure if the administration decides to expand the scope of its naval operations to include direct interception at sea.

Controlling these tankers requires high-level military coordination, including special forces boarding the ships and providing naval protection to escort them to US ports. Sources confirm that implementing such operations requires allocating additional military resources to ensure the security of seized shipments and prevent any attempts to reclaim them.

For its part, the US Department of Transportation issued a warning to commercial vessels to exercise caution regarding potential Iranian threats in the Gulf region and the Strait of Hormuz. The department clarified that ships might be subjected to interrogation or inspection by Iranian forces, urging captains to coordinate continuously with US naval forces present in the region.

In a field development, the Pentagon announced that US forces successfully intercepted an oil tanker in the Indian Ocean after it attempted to evade embargo measures. The US military affirmed that the operation was conducted in accordance with international laws, emphasizing the continued pursuit of illegal shipments that fund destabilizing activities in the Middle East.

Seizing oil tankers is one of the options being considered by the White House, with the aim of forcing Iran to make concessions in negotiations.