Image Credits: US Centcom U.S. Marines boarded a commercial tanker in the Gulf of Oman on July 16 as part of Washington’s enforcement of its renewed naval blockade on ships trading with Iran, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said. U.S. forces have redirected three commercial vessels and disabled another that did not comply with the blockade, CENTCOM said. In a post on X, CENTCOM said Marines from the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit carried out a verification boarding of the tanker M/T Wen Yao in the Gulf of Oman. “As of today, American forces have redirected three commercial vessels trying to run the blockade, disabled one that didn’t comply, and boarded one to ensure full compliance with the ongoing U.S. naval blockade against Iran,” CENTCOM said. It added that the Strait of Hormuz and nearby waters remain open for commercial traffic except for vessels attempting to violate what it called America’s “steel wall blockade.” The Gulf of Oman lies just southeast of the Strait of Hormuz, through which a significant share of the world’s seaborne oil trade passes, making military activity in the area closely watched by the shipping and energy industries. According to maritime reports, the boarded vessel was the 300,000-deadweight-tonne very large crude carrier (VLCC) Wen Yao. U.S. Marines reached the tanker by helicopter during what CENTCOM described as a flag verification boarding. Maritime intelligence firm TankerTrackers.com said the tanker was carrying Iranian fuel oil and changed its name and flag several times on July 16 while being pursued by U.S. forces. By the time it was boarded, the vessel was reportedly operating under the name Azhin and flying an Iranian flag. Equasis records cited in the report showed the vessel was listed under a San Marino flag but owned and operated from Dubai. The boarding follows several enforcement actions since the blockade was reimposed earlier this week. CENTCOM said three commercial vesse