US Marines have boarded and redirected an Iranian-flagged commercial oil tanker in the Gulf of Oman, suspected of attempting to evade the US Navy blockade on Iranian shipping. US Central Command identified the vessel as the M/T Celestial Sea, saying it was searched and forced to alter course after it appeared to be heading toward an Iranian port. It is at least the fifth vessel boarded since the Trump administration imposed the blockade earlier this year.
Central Command said US forces have now redirected 91 commercial ships to ensure compliance. Four vessels have been disabled since the blockade began on April 12. The boarding comes amid a tense diplomatic backdrop. President Donald Trump recently called off renewed military strikes on Iran to allow room for negotiations – but enforcement at sea has shown no sign of easing.
Earlier this month, a US Navy fighter jet fired precision munitions at the smokestacks of two Iranian-flagged tankers that attempted to reach an Iranian port in defiance of the blockade. On May 6, another aircraft fired on the tanker M/T Hasna in the Strait of Hormuz after it ignored repeated warnings. US forces also destroyed six Iranian small boats launched by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps toward Navy vessels escorting ships through the strait.The blockade, in place since April 13, targets all vessels entering or leaving Iranian ports. The US says it is costing Iran 500 million dollars a day. Iran has seized two cargo ships in retaliation.
