On Wednesday in the Gulf of Oman, U.S. Marines from the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit boarded M/T Celestial Sea, an Iranian-flagged commercial oil tanker suspected of attempting to violate the U.S. blockade by transiting toward an Iranian port, according to a statement from the U.S. Central Command.
American forces released the vessel after searching and directing the ship’s crew to alter course.
U.S. forces continue to fully enforce the blockade and have now redirected 91 commercial ships to ensure compliance.