India, April 23 -- The US Navy intercepted at least three Iranian-flagged oil tankers in the Asian waters, preventing them from sailing through the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz amid its intense port blockade in the Persian Gulf to stifle Iran's trade via the sea.

The ships were diverted from their position near India, Malaysia and Sri Lanka as they attempted to traverse the maritime blockade, the security and shipping sources confirmed to Reuters on Wednesday. 

Iran's Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC), meanwhile, imposed its own blockade of the vessels in the Hormuz waterway. According to the UK Maritime Agency, Iranian forces, for the first time, targeted the container ships, seizing at least two and escorting them to ...