US Marines board oil tanker in Gulf of Oman amid blockade

U.S. Marines boarded a commercial oil tanker in the Gulf of Oman on July 16 as American forces intensified enforcement of a renewed naval blockade on Iranian ports. The action is part of a broader military escalation that has included U.S. airstrikes on Iranian infrastructure and retaliatory attacks by Iran across the region.

U.S. Central Command stated that Marines from the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit conducted a "verification boarding" of the very large crude carrier MT Wen Yao. The command reported that, since the blockade took effect, American forces have redirected three commercial vessels attempting to violate the restrictions, disabled one non-compliant tanker, and now boarded one. The disabled vessel, an unladen oil tanker, was struck by missiles after attempting to breach the blockade near Iran's Kharg Island oil terminal.

The White House has clarified that the blockade applies only to ships entering or leaving Iranian ports and does not restrict other commercial traffic through the critical Strait of Hormuz. The operation is being supported by a significant force, including more than 10,000 U.S. personnel, two aircraft carriers, and over 20 warships.