U.S. Forces Search and Release Containership Suspected of Violating Blockade on Iran

U.S. forces boarded a commercial vessel in the Arabian Sea on Monday as Washington stepped up enforcement of its blockade on Iranian ports, with U.S. Central Command saying 39 vessels have now been redirected since the operation began.

According to CENTCOM, U.S. Marines from the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit boarded the containership Blue Star III after it was suspected of attempting to transit to Iran in violation of the blockade. The vessel was later released after U.S. forces searched the ship and determined its voyage would not include a port call in Iran.

“American forces continue to operate and enforce the blockade