U.S. Marines Board, Release Cargo Ship in Iran Blockade Check

U.S. Marines boarded a commercial cargo ship in the Arabian Sea on Tuesday, suspecting it of attempting to violate the American blockade of Iranian ports, before releasing the vessel after a search confirmed its route did not include an Iranian stop.

The operation involved Marines from the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, who fast-roped from helicopters onto the deck of the MV Blue Star III, a Comoros-flagged container ship bound for Sohar Port in Oman, according to U.S. Central Command. A video released by the command showed helicopters departing from a U.S. Navy vessel at dawn and Marines landing on stacked shipping containers. Central Command stated that forces conducted a search and released the ship upon verifying its itinerary.

This incident marks the latest enforcement action in the U.S. blockade, which has redirected 39 vessels to ensure compliance. The blockade, imposed on April 13, targets all ships heading to or from Iranian ports, regardless of nationality, as stated by General Dan Caine, the top U.S. military officer. Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth told reporters earlier this month that the measure would continue "as long as it takes."