The U.S. military said Marines had boarded an Iranian-flagged oil tanker on Wednesday (May 20) in the Gulf of Oman that was suspected of attempting to violate Washington’s blockade of Iran.

“American forces released the vessel after searching and directing the ship’s crew to alter course,” said Central Command, which oversees U.S. forces in the region, in a post on X.

It said that U.S. forces have now redirected 91 commercial ships to ensure compliance with the blockade. – AFP