Gulf Blockade Tightens: US Marines Board M/T Wen Yao; Unclaimed Drone Incidents Near Basra

US Marines (11th MEU, Boxer ARG) board the tanker M/T Wen Yao in the Gulf of Oman on July 16 to enforce the reimposed naval blockade on Iran, following the prior day's disabling of an unladen tanker (M/T Belma). Separately, two distinct unclaimed drone incidents are reported near Basra, Iraq — a commercial cargo vessel and the Liberian-flagged tanker Supreme Prosperity at Basra Oil Port's Quay No. 1 — with no group claiming responsibility and Iraqi officials not attributing origin. Strait of Hormuz transits fall to lowest levels since May amid the wider conflict.