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US-Boarded Tankers Continue Westbound Journey Across Indian Ocean, Bloomberg Analysis Says

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-- Two Iran-linked tankers are sailing west after US forces boarded them on April 21 and 23, with their destination still unclear, according to a Bloomberg analysis on Monday.

US forces boarded the Tifani and the Phonix, also known as Majestic X, during maritime interdiction operations near Sri Lanka, the analysis said, citing the Pentagon.

Tracking signals show both vessels traveling west across the Indian Ocean while staying close to each other, the analysis added.

US authorities have not outlined the next steps for the ships, keeping their future route and handling unclear, according to the analysis.

Despite sailing west, both tankers continue signaling Asian destinations, adding to the uncertainty over their final destinations, the analysis said.

Their current path aligns with routes toward Cape Town or toward Diego Garcia in the Chagos archipelago, where the US operates a military base, the analysis noted.

The US previously diverted shipments to its own ports after intercepting Venezuelan cargoes in the Caribbean Sea during a similar blockade, according to the analysis.

The US began targeting Iran-linked shipping on April 13 after Tehran closed the Strait of Hormuz following attacks that started in late February, the analysis said.

Although vessels can alter tracking signals, current data shows no signs of manipulation for either tanker, according to the analysis.

The US Central Command did not immediately respond to' request for comments.

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