Photo: San Diego-based destroyer intercepts Iranian ‘shadow fleet’ vessel

The U.S. Central Command released a photo Saturday of a San Diego-based guided-missile destroyer intercepting a merchant vessel in Iran’s sanctioned “shadow fleet.”

A helicopter from the USS Pinckney tracked the M/V Sevan, which was then escorted by the destroyer back toward an Iranian port. The blockade enforcement took place in the Arabian Sea.

“The merchant vessel is currently complying with U.S. military direction to turn back to Iran under escort,” Centcom said in a social media post.

The Sevan is among 19 vessels sanctioned by the U.S. Department of Treasury for activities related to transporting billions of dollars worth of Iranian energy, oil and gas products, including propane and butane, to foreign markets.

So far 37 vessels have been intercepted and redirected since the start of the blockade against ships entering or leaving Iranian ports.

The latest naval action occurred as negotiations between the United States and Iran appeared to have broken down, with President Trump telling his team not to travel to Pakistan for talks.