WASHINGTON: President Donald Trump announced Sunday that U.S. military forces have intercepted and seized an Iranian-flagged cargo ship in the Gulf of Oman after it allegedly attempted to breach a U.S. naval blockade near the strategic Strait of Hormuz.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump identified the vessel as the Touska (also spelled Toshka), describing it as a massive ship nearly 900 feet long and weighing almost as much as an aircraft carrier. According to the president, the U.S. Navy guided-missile destroyer USS Spruance intercepted the vessel and issued clear warnings to stop, but the Iranian crew refused to comply.
“Our Navy ship stopped them right in their tracks by blowing a hole in the engine room,” Trump wrote. He stated that U.S. Marines have since taken full custody of the vessel and are inspecting its cargo. Trump also noted that the Touska is under U.S. Treasury sanctions due to a “prior history of illegal activity”.
The seizure marks a significant escalation in maritime tensions between Washington and Tehran. It comes as the U.S. was preparing for a second round of in-person talks with Iran, with a fragile ceasefire set to expire in the coming days. Iran has not yet publicly commented on the incident.
The Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for global oil shipments, has been a focal point of tensions since the U.S. announced a naval blockade on April 13. The interception of the Touska is the first such action since the blockade bean.
