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US Navy Seizes Iranian Ship in Gulf of Oman After Defying Blockade

US President Donald Trump announced that US forces have intercepted and taken custody of the Iranian-flagged cargo ship TOUSKA in the Gulf of Oman after it attempted to bypass a US naval blockade. The vessel was stopped after its crew ignored warnings, with the US Navy reportedly disabling its engine room. Iran has condemned the action as "armed maritime piracy" and vowed to respond, while also rejecting participation in a second round of planned peace talks with the US. The US blockade of Iranian ports will continue until an agreement is reached between the two nations.

Key Points: US Seizes Iranian Cargo Ship in Gulf of Oman, Trump Announces

  • US Navy intercepted Iranian cargo ship TOUSKA
  • Vessel seized in Gulf of Oman after ignoring warnings
  • Iran vows retaliation for "maritime piracy"
  • Tehran rejects participation in upcoming US talks
  • US blockade to continue pending a deal
2 min read

Trump says US has intercepted, taken custody of Iranian-flagged cargo ship

US forces intercepted an Iranian-flagged vessel that attempted to bypass a naval blockade. Trump details the seizure as Iran vows retaliation.

"The Iranian crew refused to listen, so our Navy ship stopped them right in their tracks by blowing a hole in the engineroom. - Donald Trump"

New York, April 20

US President Donald Trump said that US forces have intercepted and taken custody of an Iranian-flagged cargo ship that tried to bypass its blockade in the Gulf of Oman.

"Today, an Iranian-flagged cargo ship named TOUSKA, nearly 900 feet long and weighing almost as much as an aircraft carrier, tried to get past our Naval Blockade, and it did not go well for them," Trump wrote in a post on his social media Truth Social.

A US destroyer intercepted the TOUSKA in the Gulf of Oman, and "gave them fair warning to stop," Trump added. "The Iranian crew refused to listen, so our Navy ship stopped them right in their tracks by blowing a hole in the engineroom. Right now, US Marines have custody of the vessel."

Iran has attacked US military ships in retaliation for the US seizure of its vessel, according to latest news reports.

The announcement came after the White House confirmed US Vice-President JD Vance would lead another delegation for a second round of talks with Iran in Pakistan.

Tehran has not yet confirmed its attendance. Iranian state media has reported that officials will not participate while the US blockade remains in place.

Earlier, Iran's Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters warned that it will "soon respond" to the US "armed maritime piracy," Xinhua news agency reported quoting Iran's Press TV.

Iran's official news agency IRNA said on Sunday that the country has rejected taking part in the second round of the peace talks with the United States, which were reportedly to be held in Pakistan soon.

Trump said on Friday that the naval blockade of Iranian ports would continue until a deal was agreed by the two countries.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
Blowing a hole in the engine room? That's an act of war, not a blockade. The language used is so aggressive. This will only make Iran dig its heels in further. The talks in Pakistan seem doomed before they even start.
P
Priyanka N
Our government must watch this very closely. Any conflict there will send oil prices through the roof. We should use our good relations with both Iran and the US to quietly urge restraint. Chabahar port is also crucial for us.
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Aman W
While I understand the US position, the method seems excessive. A blockade is one thing, but damaging a civilian cargo ship is another. Hope our sailors on merchant vessels in the area are safe 🙏. This is bad for global trade.
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Vikram M
Trump's "maximum pressure" policy continues. But Iran is not a country that backs down easily. They will retaliate, probably asymmetrically. The region is heading for more instability, which is terrible news for India's interests.
K
Kriti O
Respectfully, I have to criticize the US action here. Calling it "armed maritime piracy" might be Iran's phrasing, but seizing a ship in international waters by force sets a worrying precedent. International law should be upheld by all.

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