U.S. Marines Board Tanker Under Iran Port Blockade

U.S. Marines from the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit boarded the tanker M/T Wen Yao in the Gulf of Oman on July 16 to verify compliance with Washington's blockade of Iranian ports. U.S. Central Command said American forces had redirected three commercial vessels attempting to breach the blockade, disabled one that did not comply and boarded one for inspection. The command said the Strait of Hormuz and surrounding waters remain open except to vessels attempting to violate the blockade. The boarding was announced as U.S. strikes continued against Iranian military capabilities and Tehran threatened wider retaliation.