Key Takeaways
- The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia has obtained an order to unseal the seizure warrant for the M/T Skipper, a crude oil tanker.
- The tanker was previously identified as being used in an oil shipping network supporting Hizballah and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-Qods Force (IRGC-QF), both designated foreign terrorist organizations.
- The seizure was authorized under 18 U.S.C. §§ 981, 982, 2332b(g)(5), and 2339B(a)(1), which allows for the seizure of assets engaged in planning or perpetrating federal crimes of terrorism.
- The U.S. Coast Guard boarded and seized the tanker on December 10, 2025, with the assistance of the Homeland Security Investigations and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Introduction to the Seizure
The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia has announced the unsealing of a seizure warrant for the M/T Skipper, a crude oil tanker. The warrant was signed by a magistrate judge of the United States District Court for the District of Columbia on November 26, 2025. This development is significant, as it marks a major milestone in the efforts to disrupt and dismantle terrorist networks that rely on illicit oil shipping operations. The M/T Skipper, formerly known as the Adisa, has been identified as a key player in an oil shipping network that supports Hizballah and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-Qods Force (IRGC-QF), both of which are designated foreign terrorist organizations by the U.S. Department of State.
Background on the M/T Skipper
The M/T Skipper has been implicated in an oil shipping network that supports terrorist activities. The U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) had previously identified the tanker as being used in this network, which is used to fund terrorist operations. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-Qods Force (IRGC-QF) uses proceeds from the distribution of petroleum to fund its terrorist networks, making the M/T Skipper a critical component of this operation. By seizing the tanker, the United States has dealt a significant blow to these terrorist organizations and their ability to fund their activities.
The Seizure Operation
The seizure of the M/T Skipper was a coordinated effort involving multiple agencies. On December 10, 2025, the U.S. Coast Guard boarded and seized the tanker as it traveled on the high seas after departing Venezuela. The operation was carried out with the assistance of the Homeland Security Investigations and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The seizure warrant was authorized pursuant to 18 U.S.C. §§ 981, 982, 2332b(g)(5), and 2339B(a)(1), which provides the legal basis for the seizure of assets engaged in planning or perpetrating federal crimes of terrorism. The successful execution of this operation demonstrates the commitment of the United States to disrupting and dismantling terrorist networks and their supporting infrastructure.
Reaction from U.S. Authorities
The seizure of the M/T Skipper has been hailed as a major success by U.S. authorities. U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro stated that the U.S. Attorney’s Office in DC remains committed to supporting President Trump’s efforts to make the world a safer place. She praised the exceptional perseverance and unique ability of her office to navigate the challenges inherent in this type of enforcement action. FBI Director Kash Patel also commented on the seizure, stating that the FBI’s Counterintelligence Division and its partners will continue to enforce U.S. sanctions and cut off adversaries from financial markets and critical technology. He highlighted the importance of a whole-of-government approach to sanctions enforcement and praised the successful efforts to impose costs on the governments of Venezuela and Iran.
Prosecution and Next Steps
The case is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia, in conjunction with the U.S. Department of Justice’s National Security Division and Criminal Division. The seizure of the M/T Skipper is a significant development in the ongoing efforts to disrupt and dismantle terrorist networks and their supporting infrastructure. As the case progresses, it is likely that further details will emerge about the extent of the tanker’s involvement in illicit oil shipping operations and the broader implications for global security. The successful prosecution of this case will depend on the ability of the U.S. authorities to present compelling evidence and to demonstrate the tanker’s role in supporting terrorist activities.
