The U.S. military says Marines boarded an Iranian-flagged commercial oil tanker in the Gulf of Oman on suspicion it was trying to violate the American blockade on Iranian shipping. U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) states the vessel—reported as the M/T Celestial Sea—was searched and then released after U.S. forces directed the ship to alter course rather than continue toward an Iranian port. Multiple outlets describe the incident as an escalation of pressure connected to the blockade and broader efforts to influence negotiations involving Iran.
Reports say it is at least the fifth commercial ship boarded since the U.S. imposed the blockade of Iranian shipping. One outlet also cites CENTCOM figures indicating the U.S. has redirected dozens of commercial vessels since the blockade began, though the exact total is not consistent across accounts. Iran did not immediately comment on the incident.
The coverage also places the boarding within a wider political and security context, including references to U.S. statements about pausing or adjusting military actions while pursuing progress in negotiations.
