Marines board tanker amid blockade of Iranian ports as US expands strikes with attacks on bridges

American forces boarded a commercial vessel in the Gulf of Oman on Thursday, enforcing a renewed blockade of Iran's ports that commenced earlier this week. US Central Command (Centcom) stated that Marines boarded the M/T Wen Yao to ensure compliance with the naval blockade. Centcom also reported redirecting three commercial vessels that attempted to break the blockade since it took effect Tuesday evening. The previous day, a US aircraft disabled an unladen oil tanker that tried to breach the blockade.

“

to ensure full compliance with the ongoing US naval blockade

The boarding occurred as the US intensified its airstrike campaign against Iran, targeting multiple bridges in line with President Donald Trump's threats to destroy infrastructure. This escalation prompted Tehran to launch retaliatory strikes against Bahrain, Qatar, and Kuwait. Gulf countries hosting US forces have experienced repeated attacks recently, following the collapse of an interim deal aimed at ending the Iran war. Trump asserted on Thursday that the US was "winning big in Iran" and that Americans would soon "see the fruits of that labour."

“

redirected

Iranian state media reported that US strikes hit targets near Tehran and Semnan province, areas known for ballistic missile production and the space program. Strikes were also reported in several other provinces and on Qeshm island. Civilian casualties were reported, with seven people wounded in a US strike on a residential neighborhood in Bandar Abbas and two more wounded at a railway junction. Witnesses reported two bridges west of Bandar Abbas were struck, resulting in three deaths and nine injuries.

“

winning big in Iran

Kuwait confirmed responding to missile and drone attacks early Friday, following earlier aerial assaults from Iran. Journalists in Doha heard blasts, and Qatari officials raised the security threat level. Bahrain's interior ministry urged citizens to take shelter. Iranian state media claimed the Islamic republic's army was targeting US helicopters and planes at a Bahraini airbase in response to the strikes on civilian infrastructure. Furthermore, Iran has reportedly asked its allies, the Houthis in Yemen, to prepare to close the Red Sea oil route if the US targets Iranian energy infrastructure, a move that could severely impact the global energy market. The Houthi leader also threatened Saudi oil facilities if Riyadh intervened in Yemen.

“

will see the fruits of that labour very, very shortly