In a sharp escalation at sea, US forces intercepted and disabled an Iranian-flagged cargo vessel, TOUSKA, in the Arabian Sea after it allegedly attempted to breach an American naval blockade, the US Central Command (CENTCOM) said on Sunday.
The operation comes at a sensitive moment, with the US-Iran ceasefire under strain and tensions rising across key shipping lanes, particularly near the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial global energy route.
According to CENTCOM, the guided-missile destroyer USS Spruance tracked and intercepted the vessel as it sailed towards Bandar Abbas at a speed of 17 knots.
“TAMPA, Fla. – U.S. forces operating in the Arabian Sea enforced naval blockade measures against an Iranian-flagged cargo vessel attempting to sail toward an Iranian port, April 19,” CENTCOM said in a statement on X.
Warnings ignored, action taken after six hours
US forces said multiple warnings were issued to the vessel over several hours, informing it that it was in violation of the blockade. However, the crew did not comply.
“Guided-missile destroyer USS Spruance (DDG 111) intercepted M/V Touska as it transited the north Arabian Sea at 17 knots enroute to Bandar Abbas, Iran. American forces issued multiple warnings and informed the Iranian-flagged vessel it was in violation of the U.S. blockade,” the statement read.
CENTCOM said the situation escalated after prolonged non-compliance.
“After Touska’s crew failed to comply with repeated warnings over a six-hour period, Spruance directed the vessel to evacuate its engine room. Spruance disabled Touska’s propulsion by firing several rounds from the destroyer’s 5-inch MK 45 Gun into Touska’s engine room. U.S. Marines from the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit later boarded the non-compliant vessel, which remains in U.S. custody,” it added.
The command maintained that the interception followed standard protocol.
“American forces acted in a deliberate, professional, and proportional manner to ensure compliance,” it said, adding that 25 commercial vessels have been turned back since the blockade began.
Trump claims ‘full custody’, calls it blockade breach
US President Donald Trump said American forces now have complete control of the vessel after it failed to heed warnings.
“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. The U.S. Navy Guided Missile Destroyer USS SPRUANCE intercepted the TOUSKA in the Gulf of Oman and gave them fair warning to stop. The Iranian crew refused to listen, so our Navy ship stopped them right in their tracks by blowing a hole in the engineroom,” he wrote on Truth Social.
He further said that US Marines are currently in control of the ship and that it is under US Treasury sanctions.
“Right now, U.S. Marines have custody of the vessel. The TOUSKA is under U.S. Treasury Sanctions because of their prior history of illegal activity. We have full custody of the ship, and are seeing what’s on board! President DONALD J. TRUMP,” the post added.
Ceasefire under strain as tensions widen
The interception comes against the backdrop of mounting friction between Washington and Tehran, with both sides trading accusations of ceasefire violations.
Trump has alleged that Iran targeted vessels in the strategic waterway, calling it a “Total Violation of our Ceasefire Agreement.”
Meanwhile, Iran has denied reports of agreeing to a second round of talks with the United States. The official IRNA news agency said no decision has been made, countering claims of fresh diplomatic outreach.
The developments unfold just days before the two-week ceasefire window is set to expire on April 22, raising concerns over a possible escalation in the region.