U.S. forces have boarded a third tanker in the Indian Ocean, identified as the Bertha, after tracking it from the Caribbean. The Pentagon stated that the vessel violated America’s oil sanctions, which were in place to prevent the transportation of oil from sanctioned nations like Venezuela. This operation reflects the ongoing focus of the U.S. military on enforcing sanctions against oil shipments that contravene U.S. laws.

The operation, reportedly conducted at an unspecified location in the Indian Ocean, has been documented by a video released by the Pentagon, showing U.S. forces descending from helicopters onto the tanker. This incident marks a significant increase in U.S. military interventions in relation to maritime sanctions, being the third tanker interdicted this month and the tenth since former President Donald Trump directed a blockade of sanctioned oil tankers in December 2022.

This escalation underlines the U.S. government's commitment to enforcing its sanctions against oil trading with countries it deems hostile. The implications of such operations are considerable, as they heighten tensions in international waters and could provoke reactions from nations that oppose U.S. foreign policy, particularly those benefiting from the oil trade with Venezuela. The approach of the U.S. could also affect global oil supply chains and maritime safety in regions where such interventions take place.