US boards vessel but allows passage in Iran blockade

The US Central Command (Centcom) said US forces boarded a commercial vessel, the Blue Star III, during enforcement of the blockade on Iran’s ports, but allowed it to continue its journey after inspection.

Marines boarded the ship from a helicopter and confirmed it was not heading to an Iranian port.

Centcom said the vessel was released after the search, marking the first time a boarded ship has not been taken into custody since the blockade began more than two weeks ago.

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. U.S. forces released the vessel after conducting a… pic.twitter.com/UFx329OsHj

— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) April 28, 2026