The U.S. Navy on Sunday disabled and seized an Iranian-flagged cargo ship named TOUSKA in the Gulf of Oman, according to a statement from the Pentagon.
The guided-missile destroyer USS Spruance intercepted the vessel after it attempted to proceed despite warnings related to the ongoing U.S. naval blockade of Iranian ports. Following multiple warnings issued over approximately six hours, U.S. forces fired rounds from the ship’s 5-inch MK 45 gun into the engine room, which disabled the ship’s propulsion.
U.S. Marines then board the vessel and took control. As of this report, the ship is currently undergoing inspection.
The TOUSKA, a nearly 900-foot-long Iranian-flagged cargo ship weighing approximately as much as an aircraft carrier, was under prior U.S. Treasury sanctions due to a history of illegal activity.
U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) stated that the Navy had previously directed more than 20 vessels to turn around as part of the blockade enforcement, with this incident marking a direct action against a vessel that did not comply. No injuries to the crew were reported in available accounts, and the Iranian government had not issued a public statement on the seizure.
“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,” President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social following the seizure.
“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!” the president went on to say.
Sunday’s seizure took place as the U.S. Navy has maintained a blockade of Iranian ports, which was implemented to restrict maritime trade entering or exiting Iran. In response, Iran moved to re-impose strict controls over the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway through which approximately 20 percent of the world’s crude oil and natural gas typically passes.
Iran briefly reopened the strait earlier but reimposed restrictions after the U.S. upheld its enforcement measures.
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