US President Donald Trump has announced that American naval forces have taken control of an Iranian-flagged cargo ship in the Gulf of Oman, accusing it of attempting to breach a US-imposed maritime blockade.
In a statement shared on his social media platform, Trump said the vessel, identified as the TOUSKA, was intercepted by a US destroyer after it allegedly ignored repeated warnings to halt. He said US forces disabled the ship by targeting its engine area. This allowed Marines to board and secure it.
According to the US account, the crew did not comply with instructions before the intervention. The vessel is now reportedly under American control.
The incident has further heightened tensions, with reports indicating that Iran has responded by targeting US naval assets in the region.
Tehran has yet to provide detailed confirmation of the encounter.
The development comes at a sensitive moment, as Washington prepares for another round of diplomatic engagement.
The White House has confirmed that Vice-President JD Vance will head a delegation for potential talks with Iran in Pakistan.
Iran has, however, signalled reluctance to participate. State media has indicated that officials will not attend negotiations while the US naval blockade remains in force.
Earlier, Iran’s military command, including the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, warned of a forthcoming response, describing US actions at sea as unlawful interference.
Iran’s official news agency has also dismissed reports of confirmed talks, pointing to ongoing disputes and the blockade as key obstacles to diplomacy.
The United States has maintained that it will keep its maritime restrictions in place until the two countries reach a broader agreement, adding further uncertainty to already strained relations.
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