A US naval interception of an Iranian cargo vessel has triggered fresh tensions, with Tehran warning of retaliation and rejecting diplomatic signals ahead of a looming ceasefire deadline.
A US Marine monitors shipping activity during maritime operations in regional waters. (Courtesy: X/@CENTCOM)
US forces have seized an Iranian-flagged cargo vessel, TOUSKA, after it allegedly attempted to breach an American naval blockade, triggering a sharp escalation in tensions between Washington and Tehran just days before the ceasefire deadline.
According to the US Central Command (CENTCOM), the vessel was intercepted while sailing towards Iran’s Bandar Abbas port. The guided-missile destroyer USS Spruance issued repeated warnings over several hours, but the ship failed to comply.
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CENTCOM said US forces later fired rounds into the vessel’s engine room to disable its propulsion before US Marines boarded and took control of the ship.
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US President Donald Trump said the ship is now in “full custody”, adding that it had attempted to bypass the blockade. He claimed the vessel ignored warnings and was stopped “by blowing a hole in the engine room”. In a post on Truth Social, Trump said the nearly 900-foot-long vessel was intercepted in the Gulf of Oman after it failed to heed “fair warning to stop”.
The United States said the action was part of enforcement measures under its naval blockade imposed on Iran earlier this month, with Trump indicating the blockade would remain in place until a deal is reached.
Iran confirmed the incident and accused Washington of violating the April 8 ceasefire. Tehran’s Hazrat Khatam al-Anbiya military headquarters described the US action as “maritime piracy” and said the vessel had been seized after being fired upon and its navigation system disabled.
“We warn that the Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran will soon respond and retaliate against this armed piracy,” the statement said.
Iran’s top joint military command reiterated that it would “soon respond” to what it called “armed maritime piracy” by the US military.
Iranian media also reported that drones were launched towards US warships following the incident, with state-run IRIB and Mehr news agency claiming that American forces were forced to retreat after Iran’s response.
The escalation has come alongside fresh uncertainty over diplomatic efforts between the two sides.
Iran’s official news agency IRNA said Tehran has rejected taking part in a second round of talks with the United States reportedly planned in Pakistan, stating that no negotiations would take place as long as the US naval blockade remains in force.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei described the US blockade of Iranian ports and coastline as “unlawful and criminal” and a violation of the ongoing ceasefire.
While Washington has indicated it is preparing for another round of talks, including the possibility of a US delegation travelling to Pakistan, Tehran has not confirmed its participation.
The confrontation marks one of the most direct maritime clashes since the US announced a blockade on Iranian ports, and has further strained already fragile ceasefire conditions ahead of the April 22 deadline.
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