Overview
- U.S. Marines from the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, which boarded the M/V Blue Star III on Tuesday, searched the ship and confirmed it was not bound for an Iranian port.
- CENTCOM released dawn footage showing Marines fast-roping from helicopters onto the container stacks before clearing the vessel.
- Ship-tracking data reported the Blue Star III had departed Port Qasim in Pakistan and was headed to Sohar, Oman, under the flag of Comoros.
- U.S. Central Command says the blockade has redirected 39 vessels to ensure compliance, and the military has issued a notice listing broad categories of contraband subject to capture beyond neutral waters.
- Officials cast the blockade as economic pressure tied to a fragile ceasefire, as disrupted routes through the Strait of Hormuz strain energy flows and leave crews and cargo stuck longer at regional ports.