US military releases footage of boarding and disabling tanker alleged to breach Iran blockade

The United States Navy has released video footage that it says captures a boarding operation on a single tanker in the Gulf of Oman. The clip, posted on the Department of Defense’s official channels on Tuesday, shows a team of U.S. sailors climbing aboard the vessel after it was intercepted by a U.S. warship, with the boarding party conducting a visual inspection of the ship’s cargo and documentation.

According to a statement from the U.S. Central Command, the operation was part of ongoing efforts to enforce international sanctions and ensure maritime security in the region. Officials noted that the tanker, which was sailing under a flag of convenience, was suspected of transporting prohibited materials, though they did not disclose the cargo’s nature or the vessel’s name. The footage is intended to demonstrate compliance with maritime law and to deter future violations, underscoring the Navy’s continued presence in a strategically vital waterway.