US military seized Iranian-flagged container ship, Trump says

US military forces seized an Iranian-flagged container ship named Touska after it attempted to breach a U.S. naval blockade near the Strait of Hormuz. The incident occurred in the Arabian Sea when a U.S. guided missile destroyer warned the vessel to stop in the Gulf of Oman, but the ship ignored the warning. According to former President Donald Trump, the U.S. Navy disabled the ship by firing on its engine room, and U.S. marines subsequently took custody of the vessel. The Touska is listed under U.S. Treasury sanctions due to its prior involvement in illegal activities. The seizure has heightened tensions between the United States and Iran, with Tehran accusing Washington of violating a fragile ceasefire that has been in place since early April. Iran’s military vowed retaliation, describing the U.S. action as “armed piracy.” Iranian state media reported Tehran’s rejection of renewed peace talks, citing the blockade, hostile rhetoric, and shifting demands from the U.S. as reasons for their refusal. The incident underscores the ongoing volatility in the region, particularly around the strategic Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for global oil shipments. The confrontation was captured in a video released on social media, which includes audio of U.S. sailors warning the crew of the Touska to vacate the engine room before the ship was fired upon. The cargo ship, reportedly over 900 feet long, was intercepted near Iran’s border with Pakistan after departing from Port Klang, Malaysia. The U.S. action comes amid broader diplomatic efforts, with U.S. officials scheduled to engage in talks in Pakistan concerning the escalating conflict involving Iran and Israel. The seizure marks a significant escalation in the ongoing maritime and geopolitical standoff between the two nations.