Tensions in the Middle East have intensified after Iran accused the United States of violating a ceasefire by targeting one of its commercial vessels in the Gulf of Oman, raising fears of further escalation in an already volatile region.
Iran’s top joint military command, Khatam al-Anbiya, said the ship was en route from China to Iran when it came under fire. In a statement carried by state media, a spokesperson condemned the incident and warned of an imminent response.
“We warn that the armed forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran will soon respond and retaliate against this armed piracy by the US military,” the spokesperson said.
US President Donald Trump confirmed the operation, stating that a US Navy destroyer intercepted and seized the Iranian-flagged cargo vessel, identified as Touska, after it allegedly attempted to evade a naval blockade.
According to Trump, the guided missile destroyer USS Spruance fired upon the vessel after it ignored repeated warnings to stop.
Posting on Truth Social, Trump said the ship was disabled after forces “blew a hole in the engine room,” adding that US Marines had taken control of the vessel and were inspecting its cargo.
The incident comes amid heightened tensions in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global transit route for oil and liquefied natural gas. The passage has been effectively disrupted since the outbreak of the US-Israel conflict with Iran nearly seven weeks ago.
Iran had briefly reopened the strait following a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon, but shut it again shortly after, citing continued US naval restrictions on vessels linked to Iranian ports.
US officials said the seized vessel had been under sanctions by the Office of Foreign Assets Control due to alleged prior involvement in illegal activities.
The United States Central Command stated that the USS Spruance had issued repeated warnings to the Touska over six hours before taking action. When the crew failed to comply, US forces ordered the evacuation of the engine room before firing to disable the ship.
The interception marks the first such operation since the US began enforcing a blockade on Iranian ports last week.
