US military prepares to board Iran-linked ships in coming days: Report

The US military is preparing “to board Iran-linked oil tankers and seize commercial ships in international waters” in the coming days, the Wall Street Journal reported on Saturday, citing US officials.

According to the Journal, the US military will pursue vessels around the world that are helping Iran should the two sides fail to conclude a deal.

Washington’s decision to step up economic pressure is intended to force Iran to reopen the strait and make concessions on its nuclear program, which has been the focus of negotiations between the US and Iran, the report said.

On Friday, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi had declared that the strait is "completely open” for all commercial vessels.

However, an IRGC joint command statement on Saturday said that the strait had returned to its "previous state" under the control of Iran’s armed forces, citing the ongoing US blockade on Iranian ports.

On Feb. 28, the US and Israel launched a joint offensive on Iran, and Tehran retaliated with strikes on Israel and other regional countries hosting US assets.

The war has been on hold since April 8, when Pakistan mediated a two-week ceasefire.

Washington and Tehran held talks in Pakistan last weekend, and efforts for another session in Islamabad are underway.