Tensions Rise! US Intercepts Iranian-Flagged Oil Tanker, Orders It to Turn Back

The United States Marines intercepted an Iranian-flagged oil tanker before subsequently releasing it and ordering it to change course, CENTCOM said in a statement. CENTCOM said the U.S. military has so far diverted 91 ships to ensure compliance with the blockade imposed by the United States last month. In the incident on Wednesday, 20 May local time, the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) boarded the M/T Celestial Sea, which was believed to be attempting to breach the blockade. CENTCOM said the tanker was en route to an Iranian port. ‘American forces released the vessel after conducting a search and directing the crew to alter course,’ CENTCOM said, reported by Al Arabiya on Thursday, 21 May 2026. The United States and Iran have yet to reach a peace agreement. Both countries continued to exchange threats. Meanwhile Israel said its forces were on high alert in view of potential war. Israel’s Army Chief, Lt Col Eyal Zamir, said the military was at the highest level of readiness as Tehran and Washington traded threats of war. ‘At present, the IDF is at the highest level of readiness and ready for any development,’ Zamir told a meeting of all division commanders, AFP reported on Wednesday, 20 May 2026. Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps had earlier warned that the Middle East war would spill beyond the region if the United States and Israel continued their attacks on the Islamic Republic. ‘If aggression against Iran is repeated, the regional war promised this time will spread far beyond the region, and our devastating strikes will destroy you,’ Sepah News quoted the Guards as saying, AFP reported. The warning came after U.S. President Donald Trump said Washington could strike Iran again if no agreement on ending the war is reached within a few days. Both sides have escalated threats while exchanging proposals to end the war, which erupted on 28 February. A ceasefire has been in effect since 8 April.