US immobilizes two tankers, boards others as Iran blockade intensifies; Trump says discussions ongoing
US forces redirected 12 commercial ships, immobilized two tankers and boarded two more in the Gulf of Oman and Arabian Sea over the weekend, CENTCOM stated. President Trump said the US remains in talks with Tehran even as he considers larger-scale bombing.
Blockade operations
On Friday, US forces fired on the engine room of the Mozambique-flagged tanker M/T Lavine after its crew attempted to breach the blockade at least four times and ignored repeated warnings. Personnel then boarded the vessel in the Gulf of Oman.
We neutralized the tanker after its crew attempted to force the blockade at least four times. The crew was warned repeatedly but did not comply, and US forces in the area fired on the engine room. The ship is no longer heading toward Iran.
A second tanker was also immobilized on Friday, according to CENTCOM, though its identity and flag were not disclosed. In a statement published Sunday, the command said 12 commercial ships that tried to breach the blockade had been redirected, two immobilized and two boarded for inspections overall. "The blockade remains fully in force," CENTCOM added, describing its forces as "extremely vigilant, focused, lethal and ready."
Saturday's boarding
On Saturday, US troops completed an inspection of the Comoros-flagged tanker M/T Charminar in the Arabian Sea. CENTCOM released video showing service members rappelling from a helicopter onto the deck. After the search, the vessel was permitted to continue its voyage.
- US forces immobilize tanker M/T Lavine after crew attempts breach at least four times; engine room struck
- President Trump says US remains in talks with Iran, considers larger-scale bombing
- US troops board and inspect tanker M/T Charminar in Arabian Sea; vessel allowed to continue voyage
Trump's dual-track message
Speaking to reporters at the White House on Friday afternoon, President Trump insisted diplomatic channels with Iran remain open despite nearly two weeks of daily US airstrikes. "We are in discussions with them right now," he said. Trump declined to specify whether contacts were direct or through intermediaries but later noted that Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio were among those involved.
Trump also said he was contemplating "even more major" bombardments against Iran, pointing to a Friday morning meeting with top advisors where a large-scale military operation was discussed. No decision has been taken, he stressed. He added that Tehran appeared to be getting more serious "with each passing day, maybe for an obvious reason," alluding to the ongoing bombing campaign.
I think they are getting more serious with each passing day, maybe for an obvious reason.
Regional spillover
The blockade is one of the Trump administration's main tools to ratchet up pressure on Iran as the security situation deteriorates. Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen have struck targets inside Saudi Arabia, drawing Saudi retaliatory strikes on Houthi positions, according to the US command. Washington has vowed to maintain the blockade and stop any vessel suspected of trying to bypass sanctions. Iranian authorities have not yet reacted to the latest incidents.
