Diyar GüldoÄŸan
May 20, 2026•Mise à jour: May 20, 2026
U.S. Marines boarded an Iranian-flagged commercial oil tanker in the Gulf of Oman earlier Wednesday as part of ongoing control operations related to a U.S. maritime blockade, according to U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM).
“Earlier today in the Gulf of Oman, U.S. Marines from the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit boarded the M/T Celestial Sea, an Iranian-flagged commercial oil tanker suspected of attempting to violate the U.S. blockade by transiting to an Iranian port,” he said. declared CENTCOM on the American social network X.
CENTCOM added that US forces searched the tanker and ordered the crew to change course before releasing the vessel.
“US forces continue to fully enforce the blockade and have now diverted 91 commercial vessels to ensure compliance,” he said.
The United States and Israel launched strikes against Iran on February 28, leading to retaliation by Tehran against Israel as well as American allies in the Gulf, accompanied by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
Since April 13, the United States has imposed a naval blockade targeting Iranian maritime traffic in this strategic route.
A two-week ceasefire came into effect on April 8 under Pakistan’s mediation, followed by direct discussions in Islamabad on April 11, without a lasting agreement being found.
US President Donald Trump then extended the truce without setting a new deadline, at the request of Pakistan.
*Translated from English by Mariem Njeh
