WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump said U.S. forces fired on and seized an Iranian-flagged cargo ship in the Gulf of Oman near the Strait of Hormuz after the vessel ignored warnings to stop while attempting to bypass a naval blockade.
Trump announced on social media on Sunday that the guided-missile destroyer USS Spruance intercepted the ship, identified as the Touska. When the crew did not comply with orders, U.S. forces fired on the engine room to disable the vessel, after which Marines boarded and took it into custody, he said. No casualties were reported.
The incident marked the first interception since the U.S. imposed a naval blockade of Iranian ports last week, according to U.S. statements. U.S. Central Command confirmed the operation involving disabling fire and a boarding by Marines.
Trump described the action in a post, stating the Navy gave "fair warning" to the ship, which was ignored, "so our Navy ship stopped them right in their tracks by blowing a hole in the engine room."
The seizure occurred amid a fragile ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran that is set to expire on Wednesday. Iran had declared the Strait of Hormuz closed until the blockade was lifted and accused the U.S. of violating the truce.
Iranian officials condemned the action as "armed piracy." Iran's Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, the top joint military command, said Tehran would take "necessary action" once the safety of the crew and their families was ensured, according to Iranian state media.
The Foreign Ministry in Tehran stated on Monday that Iran had no plans for the next round of peace talks with the U.S. in Pakistan, which had been under discussion with Pakistani mediation.
U.S. officials have not released additional details on the ship's cargo or the exact sequence of events beyond Trump's announcement and CENTCOM's confirmation. The status of the Iranian crew remained unclear as of Monday.
As of Monday, the seized vessel remained in U.S. custody, with investigations ongoing, according to American statements. No further comments from the White House or Pentagon were immediately available on the implications for the ceasefire or planned negotiations.
