U.S. Military Boards and Searches an Iranian Oil Tanker in the Gulf of Oman
On May 20, Xinhua News Agency reported from Washington (reporters Huang Qiang and Xu Jianmei) that the U.S. Central Command announced on social media that members of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit boarded and searched a tanker flying the Iranian flag in the Gulf of Oman on the same day, after which the tanker was instructed to change its course.
The U.S. military stated that the tanker was suspected of heading to an Iranian port, attempting to violate the U.S. blockade order. After searching the vessel and instructing the crew to change course, the U.S. military released it.
The U.S. military also stated that since the U.S. imposed a maritime blockade on Iranian ports on April 13, a total of 91 vessels have been forced to change course.
U.S. Marines from the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit boarded and searched an Iranian-flagged oil tanker in the Gulf of Oman on May 20, 2023. The tanker was suspected of attempting to violate U.S. sanctions by heading to an Iranian port. After the search, the vessel was released and instructed to change its course.
- U.S. Marines boarded an Iranian-flagged oil tanker in the Gulf of Oman.
- The tanker was suspected of attempting to violate U.S. sanctions by heading to an Iranian port.
- After the search, the tanker was released and instructed to change course.
- Since April 13, 91 vessels have been redirected under U.S. maritime blockade against Iran.