U.S. Returns to Maritime Interdiction Amid Sanctions Evasion Concerns
The United States and its allies are increasingly resorting to maritime interdiction as a means of enforcing economic sanctions. This shift comes as targeted countries develop sophisticated networks to evade sanctions, challenging the traditional reliance on financial systems for enforcement. Since late 2024, naval forces in Europe and NATO partners have detained or inspected numerous vessels suspected of carrying sanctioned cargo, particularly focusing on shadow fleet tankers transporting Russian oil. These operations have expanded to include Iranian and Venezuelan vessels, with European and Indian authorities joining the effort. The legal framework for such actions is complex, as modern sanctions enforcement often exploits legal ambiguities, such as frequent flag changes and unclear ownership structures, to justify boarding ships. 
