U.S. struck, seized Iranian-flagged ship Touska in Gulf of Oman, Trump says

A U.S. Navy guided missile destroyer, the USS Spruance, disabled and seized the Iranian-flagged cargo ship Touska in the Gulf of Oman after the vessel refused to comply with repeated warnings to stop. The ship was targeted with rounds fired into its engine room, effectively disabling it, before U.S. Marines boarded and took custody. The Touska is subject to U.S. Treasury sanctions due to a history of illegal activity. This operation occurred amid an ongoing U.S. naval blockade of Iranian ports, which has been in place since the previous week. The U.S. Central Command released footage showing the Spruance warning the Touska’s crew over radio transmissions for six hours before engaging. The blockade and seizure come in the context of heightened tensions following Iranian attacks on commercial vessels attempting to transit the Strait of Hormuz, a critical maritime chokepoint between the Gulf of Oman and the Persian Gulf. The U.S. action marks a significant escalation in efforts to enforce sanctions and restrict Iranian maritime activities. Diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict have stalled, with U.S. envoys conducting a second round of peace talks with Iranian representatives, which Iran reportedly rebuffed. Tehran cited the U.S. naval blockade as a violation of a ceasefire agreement, leading to the cancellation of planned negotiations in Islamabad. President Donald Trump issued a stern warning that failure to meet U.S. terms could result in widespread destruction of Iranian infrastructure, including power plants and bridges. The seizure of the Touska underscores the intensifying confrontation between the U.S. and Iran, highlighting the risks of further escalation in a strategically vital region. The incident also reflects the broader geopolitical struggle over control and security in the Gulf, with implications for global energy supplies and international maritime law.