US media: US government seeks to "seize" two oil tankers linked to Iran

According to a report by Bloomberg on the 29th, a senior White House official revealed that the US government is seeking to "seize" two oil tankers linked to Iran that were intercepted by the US Navy days earlier. The report stated that the official said the US Department of Justice has initiated "seizure" proceedings, but did not elaborate on the specific contents of these proceedings, nor did he confirm whether this move indicates US plans to "seize" the crude oil loaded on the tankers. The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, also cited "operational security" as a reason for declining to disclose the final disposition of the vessels or comment on their current course. According to a statement from the US Department of Defense, the US Navy intercepted and boarded two oil tankers "transporting oil from Iran" in the Indian Ocean on the 20th and 22nd, respectively. The report noted that the two tankers continued sailing in the Indian Ocean in the following days and appeared to change course multiple times. (Xinhua News Agency)