US Marines Board and Search Containership Blue Star III in Arabian Sea
U.S. Marines from the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit boarded the stateless containership Blue Star III on April 28, 2026, under suspicion of violating the maritime blockade on Iran. Following a fast-rope boarding and thorough search in the Arabian Sea, CENTCOM forces determined the vessel had no intention of calling at an Iranian port and subsequently released it. The operation is part of 'Operation Epic Fury,' an intensified U.S. maritime pressure campaign targeting all Iranian economic and trade routes.
Date: April 28, 2026
Location: International Waters
Conflict: US-Iran Conflict
Category: naval
Severity: MEDIUM
Source: CENTCOM