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

According to a report by Bloomberg on the 29th, citing a senior White House official, the US government is seeking to "confiscate" two oil tankers linked to Iran that were recently intercepted by the US Navy. The report states that the official said the US Department of Justice has initiated "confiscation" proceedings, but did not elaborate on the specifics of the process or whether this move indicates a US plan to "confiscate" 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 to 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 said the two tankers continued sailing in the Indian Ocean over the following days and appeared to change course multiple times. (Xinhua News Agency)