Donald Trump confirmed on truthsocial that U.S. naval forces seized an Iranian flagged cargo ship named Touska after it allegedly attempted to bypass a naval blockade near the Strait of Hormuz. The incident occurred in the Gulf of Oman, escalating tensions between the United States and Iran.
According to U.S. officials, the vessel ignored repeated warnings from a Navy guided missile destroyer to halt operations. Trump stated that forces disabled the ship by striking its engine room before U.S. Marines boarded and secured the vessel. Military officials reported that the cargo ship was heading toward the Iranian port of Bandar Abbas and failed to comply with evacuation warnings issued over several hours.
Iran Accuses US of Breaking Ceasefire Amid Ongoing Naval Blockade
Iranian military officials condemned the seizure, describing the attack as a violation of an earlier ceasefire agreement. A spokesperson from Iran’s joint military command warned that the country’s armed forces would respond to what was described as an act of “armed piracy.”
The confrontation comes amid a broader standoff linked to U.S. naval restrictions introduced on April 13, affecting vessels traveling to and from Iranian ports. Iranian leaders, including Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf, have stated that unrestricted passage through the Strait of Hormuz cannot continue while Iranian shipping faces limitations.
The Strait remains a critical global chokepoint, handling roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil shipments, making any disruption a major concern for global energy markets and international trade stability.
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