U.S. military: Marines boarded ship in Arabian Sea suspected of heading toward Iran

Marines boarded a commercial vessel in the Arabian Sea that was suspected of trying to go to Iran, the U.S. military said Tuesday. American forces later “released” the ship after a search was conducted, according to U.S. Central Command.

“U.S. Marines from the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit boarded M/V Blue Star III, a commercial ship suspected of attempting to transit to Iran in violation of the U.S. blockade of Iranian ports,” U.S. Central Command posted on X.

“U.S. forces released the vessel after conducting a search and confirming the ship’s voyage would not include an Iranian port call,” it said.

Central Command said 39 vessels “have been redirected to ensure compliance” with the U.S. blockade and that American forces are continuing to enforce it across the region.