WASHINGTON, May 20 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. military on Wednesday boarded and searched an Iranian-flagged commercial oil tanker in the Gulf of Oman before directing the vessel to alter course, the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said.
"Earlier today 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," the command said on X.
"American forces released the vessel after searching and directing the ship's crew to alter course," CENTCOM said, noting that U.S. forces continue to fully enforce the blockade and have redirected 91 commercial ships to ensure compliance.
Earlier this month, U.S. President Donald Trump halted Project Freedom, while insisting that the broader blockade against Iran remained "in full force and effect" during the ongoing ceasefire. Iran has repeatedly denounced the U.S. naval operations as illegal.
The Gulf of Oman links the Arabian Sea with the Strait of Hormuz, a vital corridor for global energy shipments. ■