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US Forces Board Iranian Oil Tanker in Gulf of Oman Amid Naval Blockade

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US forces boarded an Iranian-flagged oil tanker in the Gulf of Oman on Wednesday as Washington intensified enforcement of its maritime blockade, US Central Command said Wednesday in a post on X.

"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," US Central Command said.

"American forces released the vessel after searching and directing the ship's crew to alter course," the command said, adding that US authorities have now redirected 91 commercial ships under the blockade enforcement effort.

Washington initiated the blockade against Iran on April 13 after diplomatic talks collapsed, with US forces moving to restrict ships entering or leaving Iranian ports.

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