U.S. Navy Att∆cks, Seizes Iranian Ship Near Strait Of Hormuz, Tehran Issues Stark Warning
U.S. Navy Attacks, Seizes Iranian Ship Near Strait Of Hormuz, Tehran Issues Stark Warning
Trump claimed the cargo ship was intercepted in the Gulf of Oman by the USS Spruance and was issued multiple warnings to halt.
Tensions between Washington and Tehran have escalated after United States forces reportedly attacked and seized an Iranian cargo vessel, Touska, near the strategic Strait of Hormuz following a confrontation at sea.
According to statements posted by US President Donald Trump on his Truth Social platform, US Marines have taken “full custody” of the vessel after it allegedly attempted to breach what he described as a US blockade of Iranian ports on Sunday.
Trump claimed the cargo ship was intercepted in the Gulf of Oman by the USS Spruance and was issued multiple warnings to halt.
“The Iranian crew refused to listen, so our Navy ship stopped them right in their tracks by blowing a hole in the engineroom,” Trump wrote.
He further alleged that the vessel had been under US Treasury sanctions due to “prior history of illegal activity,” adding that American forces are currently inspecting its contents.
In a swift reaction, Iranian authorities on Monday warned it could keep up the global economic pain as ships remained unable to transit the strait, with hundreds of vessels waiting at each end for clearance.
Iran’s Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref said security in the Strait of Hormuz comes at a cost, warning that Iran cannot be denied oil exports while others expect free protection.
“The Strait is in Iran’s hands. Either they give us what we deserve at the negotiating table or we will take it on the battlefield,” he said.
About 20% of global oil trade typically flows through the strait, alongside vital shipments of fertiliser for farmers worldwide, natural gas, and humanitarian aid destined for crisis-hit regions such as Afghanistan and Sudan.
