A fresh confrontation at sea has raised pressure ahead of planned US-Iran negotiations.
US President Donald Trump said the US Navy attacked and seized an Iranian-flagged cargo ship in the Gulf of Oman on Sunday, marking a major escalation in the ongoing standoff between Washington and Tehran.
In a post on social media, Trump said the vessel, identified as Touska, tried to bypass a US naval blockade. He added that US Marines had boarded the ship and taken full custody.
US Central Command later confirmed that the destroyer USS Spruance intercepted the vessel in the North Arabian Sea while it was heading toward Iran’s Bandar Abbas port.
According to CENTCOM, the ship ignored repeated warnings for six hours. US forces then fired rounds at the engine room before Marines boarded and secured the vessel.
Trump also claimed the ship was already under US Treasury sanctions due to alleged previous illegal activity. Authorities said they are now inspecting the cargo onboard.
The incident appears to be the first reported seizure of a merchant vessel since the United States began enforcing its blockade on Iranian ports.
At the same time, Trump said another round of peace talks with Iran was expected in Islamabad, Pakistan. However, Iranian officials reportedly warned they would not attend unless the naval blockade is lifted.
Trump insisted progress had been made, saying “the concept of the deal is done,” but he also renewed threats to strike Iranian infrastructure if talks collapse.
The current ceasefire arrangement between both sides is due to expire on Wednesday, increasing fears of a wider conflict if diplomacy fails.