The US military boarded and subsequently freed an Iranian-flagged oil tanker in the Gulf of Oman, thus keeping pressure on Tehran’s economy as President Donald Trump pushes for a deal to end the conflict.
The ship, the M/T Celestial Sea, was “suspected of attempting to violate the US blockade by heading towards an Iranian port,” US Central Command said in a statement. After an inspection of the ship, US forces released it and ordered the crew to change course.
The US blockade of ships linked to Iran has prevented oil tankers from reaching Kharg Island, Iran’s main export port. US Central Command reported Wednesday that, as part of this operation, US forces have diverted 91 ships to date.
The boarding was carried out by members of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, based in Japan and deployed in the Middle East to assist in operations against Iran.
Trump has threatened new military attacks against Iran if this country does not comply with his demands to reach an agreement, which has caused Iran to warn that its retaliation would extend beyond the Middle East.
