Iran blockade check: US Marines board M/V Blue Star III in the Arabian Sea, CENTCOM says

U.S. Marines boarded a commercial ship in the Arabian Sea after suspecting an Iran-bound voyage. The U.S. Central Command said the vessel, M/V Blue Star III, was searched and then allowed to continue. Officials said the inspection showed the ship was not heading to an Iranian port under the U.S. blockade.

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CENTCOM reported the boarding involved Marines from the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit. The command said the ship was released after checks confirmed no Iranian port call. It also said enforcement actions have redirected dozens of other vessels while the blockade remains in place.

U.S. blockade and M/V Blue Star III search details

On X on Tuesday, CENTCOM wrote: "Earlier today in the Arabian Sea, 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,\". The post described the incident as part of blockade enforcement.

CENTCOM later said the ship was cleared after a search. The command stated U.S. forces confirmed the voyage would not include an Iranian port call. It said the vessel was released once officials determined it was not planning to dock in Iran.

Strait of Hormuz disruption and U.S. blockade impact

Shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has faced major disruption since the U.S.-Israeli war against Iran began February 28. The situation has unsettled global energy markets and raised worries about wider economic harm. CENTCOM said the blockade has left multiple ships anchored across regional ports.

The command said 39 vessels have been redirected to support compliance with the blockade. It also highlighted changes at Chah Bahar, an Iranian port affected by the restrictions. CENTCOM said the blockade aims to cut trade flows into and out of Iran.

CENTCOM said port activity in Chah Bahar has shifted sharply. Before the U.S. blockade on Iran, an average day had five ships moored or anchored there. CENTCOM said more than 20 vessels now remain in Chah Bahar during the ongoing blockade.

Marine traffic monitoring websites listed M/V Blue Star III as a container ship. The ship sails under the flag of Comoros, according to the same data. The tracking sites indicated the vessel was headed to the port of Sohar in Oman.

With inputs from PTI