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Iran War Week 8: five ships seized while transporting Iranian oil under US sanctions [1] ['View Profile', 'Angmar Barrow', 'Chitown Kev', 'Al Dorado'] Date: 2026-04-23 day seven Satellite imagery confirmed that the combined force struck four helicopters at the IRGC Ground Forces Fath Aviation Base in Alborz Province between March 27 and April 6.[53] Satellite imagery from March 17 previously confirmed that the combined force conducted multiple strikes targeting north of the base.[54] Iranian state media reported on April 23 that air defense in Tehran was activated to “counter hostile threats.”[55] An IRGC-affiliated media correspondent claimed that air defenses in Tehran and several unnamed cities were activated in response to the presence of ”small drones“ in Iranian airspace.[56] An unnamed witness told anti-regime media on April 23 that several drones flew over Parand, Tehran Province.[57] IDF sources speaking to Israeli media denied operating in Iranian airspace.[58] Choreography hides IRGC dominance—civilian heads posture for US talks as boats choke Hormuz, defying Trump’s “civilization will die” warning. Factions fracturing. per Reuters/AP @TheStudyofWar Trump’s messages have appeared to elicit a choreographed response by the Iranian regime that is directed both to regime factions and to the United States. The heads of Iran’s three branches of government issued a series of statements likely aimed at defending themselves from accusations of “moderation” in the Islamic Revolutionary context. Iranian Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei acknowledged Ghalibaf, Pezeshkian, Ejei, and Aragchi’s obeisance several hours later in a choreographed manner that likely seeks to demonstrate unity and signal an end to the internal competition between pragmatic and hardliner officials. Other Key Takeaways: Iranian Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei is likely unable to seriously impact Iranian decision-making due to injuries sustained during the war. The New York Times reported on April 23 that Mojtaba is under frequent medical attention and heavily reliant on the advice and guidance of senior IRGC commanders led by Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) Commander Major General Ahmad Vahidi, citing a number of former IRGC and current regime officials. Vahidi continues to support Iranian sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz and efforts to retain the nuclear program, because he views negotiations with the United States as having no present value, according to IRGC sources and anti-Iranian regime media. Vahidi is part of the first generation of revolutionaries, and he prioritizes ideological purity and hard power over the economy and well-being of Iranian citizens. Overnight, U.S. forces carried out a maritime interdiction and right-of-visit boarding of the sanctioned stateless vessel M/T Majestic X transporting oil from Iran, in the Indian Ocean within the INDOPACOM area of responsibility. We will continue global maritime enforcement to… pic.twitter.com/SWF6Jt9Ci4 — Department of War 🇺🇸 (@DeptofWar) April 23, 2026 The US Navy has continued to demonstrate its ability to enforce its blockade on Iranian ports. US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced on April 23 that it has directed 33 Iranian or Iranian-linked vessels to turn around or return to port since the start of the blockade on April 13.[30] US forces have also boarded or intercepted at least four other vessels east of the blockade line in the Indian Ocean in recent days. The four ships that the US Navy intercepted have been shipping Iranian oil in violation of the blockade. Some sources indicate that the US Navy also intercepted a fifth vessel. The following window into US Navy blockade enforcement suggests that blockade runners have consistent characteristics: all five are under US sanctions and are transporting Iranian oil. US forces intercepted and boarded the US-sanctioned Majestic X (IMO: 9198417) oil tanker on April 23, which was transporting Iranian oil, in the Bay of Bengal.[31] The Majestic X previously operated as the Phonix and has previously helped Iran export oil while falsely operating under a Guyanese flag.[32] US forces intercepted the OFAC-sanctioned Deep Sea (IMO: 9357353) oil tanker, according to an April 23 Reuters report.[33] The Deep Sea was partially loaded with Iranian crude oil.[34] The vessel has had its automatic identification system (AIS) transponder off since March 22, according to commercially available shipping data.[35] US forces intercepted the OFAC-sanctioned Sevin (IMO: 9357353) oil tanker, according to the same Reuters report.[36] The Sevin was carrying roughly 650,000 barrels of Iranian oil when it was intercepted.[37] The vessel has had its AIS transponder off since March 15, according to commercially available shipping data.[38] US forces intercepted the Iranian-flagged, OFAC-sanctioned Dorena (IMO: 9569669), which is under US Navy destroyer escort in the Indian Ocean as of April 22, after the vessel attempted to run the blockade.[39] The Dorena is fully loaded with 2 million barrels of oil.[40] Reuters reported that US forces “may” have also intercepted the Iranian-flagged, OFAC-sanctioned Derya (IMO: 9569700) tanker, according to shipping sources speaking to Reuters.[41] It was also transporting oil.[42] This vessel is off the coast of India as of April 18, though it previously left the Gulf on March 9.[43] Iran Lego animation video –> ‘Strait of Hormuz’… pic.twitter.com/NV6tE8dfyJ — DeSota (@desota) April 24, 2026 Trump zegt "vrede" dezelfde nacht branden drie schepen. Hij bood NIETS uit De oorlog pauzeerde nooit. Blokkade nog steeds op. Olie nog steeds vastgehouden. De benzineprijs blijft stijgen. Ze noemen het staakt-het-vuren. We noemen het wat het is. #lego#ceasefire #iran #trump #war pic.twitter.com/Lm5YaVF35b — Renne Rus👋⬇️ (@RenneRus) April 24, 2026 translation from the Dutch: Trump says “peace” that same night three ships burn. He offered NOTHING from The war never paused. Blockade still in place. Oil still held. The gas price keeps rising. They call it a ceasefire. We call it what it is Iran Lego Animation The Ceasefire Published: 04/23/2026 pic.twitter.com/Flyat3g8Ze — Tina (@T53431997) April 23, 2026 [END] --- [1] Url: https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2026/4/23/800026634/community/1520week-8-day-seven/ Published and (C) by Daily Kos Content appears here under this condition or license: Site content may be used for any purpose without permission unless otherwise specified. via Magical.Fish Gopher News Feeds: gopher://magical.fish/1/feeds/news/dailykos/