US Navy has forced 8 Iran-linked oil tankers to turn back since Monday

The Wall Street Journal is reporting that US naval forces have forced eight vessels departing and entering Iranian ports to stop and turn back.

Citing officials, the Journal reported that in every instance, US forces contacted the crews via radio and instructed them to reverse course.

All the tankers complied with the orders, and no boardings were necessary, it added.

 More than 20 commercial vessels have passed through the Strait of Hormuz during the day, The Wall Street Journal said, citing unnamed US administration officials.

According to the newspaper, these ships included tankers, dry cargo and container carriers. Some switched off their AIS (automatic identification system) devices while sailing through the strait.