U.S. Seizes Iranian-Flagged Cargo Ship TOUSKA After Intercept
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Washington — On Sunday, U.S. President Donald Trump said U.S. naval forces intercepted and seized the Iranian-flagged cargo ship TOUSKA in the Gulf of Oman after the vessel ignored warnings to stop; the USS Spruance reportedly fired on the ship and U.S. Marines took custody. He posted the account on Truth Social on April 19 and 20.
The seizure occurred amid a U.S. naval blockade affecting Strait of Hormuz traffic and followed reports that Iran had fired on commercial vessels earlier that day; U.S. officials reported the TOUSKA is under U.S. Treasury sanctions. Negotiators were reported to plan travel to Pakistan on Monday as a fragile ceasefire approached expiry this week.
Timeline
- 1. Early April: U.S. naval forces began enforcing a tighter blockade affecting Iranian port traffic.
- 2. 17th April 2026: Reports say Iran briefly reopened the Strait of Hormuz then closed it again amid blockade operations.
- 3. 19th April 2026: President Trump posted that USS Spruance intercepted and fired on the Iranian-flagged TOUSKA in the Gulf of Oman.
- 4. 19th–20th April 2026: Multiple outlets reported U.S. Marines took custody of the TOUSKA and noted its Treasury-sanctioned status.
- 5. 20th April 2026: U.S. envoys were reported to plan travel to Pakistan for further talks as a fragile ceasefire neared expiry.
Sources
Asian News International (ANI)
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