US Navy Seizes Iranian Cargo Ship Touska in Gulf, Halts Strait of Hormuz Talks
The US Navy has seized the Iranian-flagged cargo ship Touska in the Gulf, US President Donald Trump announced. Writing on his Truth Social platform, Trump claimed the vessel, sanctioned by the US Treasury, was intercepted after failing to heed warnings to halt. Iran has yet to comment on the incident.
This action threatens ongoing diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict with Iran. The White House had confirmed Vice-President JD Vance would lead a delegation to Pakistan for a second round of talks aimed at ending the war. However, Iranian state media has reported that Tehran will not participate while the US naval blockade remains in place, stating it has "hindered the progress of the negotiations."
Trump detailed the seizure, stating, "Today, an Iranian-flagged cargo ship named TOUSKA, nearly 900 feet long and weighing almost as much as an aircraft carrier, tried to get past our Naval Blockade, and it did not go well for them." He added that the US Navy "stopped them right in their tracks by blowing a hole in the engineroom." US Central Command subsequently released footage purportedly showing the interception, including a gun firing towards the cargo ship.
The current two-week ceasefire, initiated after five weeks of US and Israeli strikes across Iran that began on 28 February, is due to expire on Wednesday. Core disagreements, including Iran's nuclear programme and control over the crucial Strait of Hormuz, persist. Trump affirmed that the naval blockade of Iranian ports would continue until a peace agreement is reached.
The Strait of Hormuz, a vital route for approximately 20% of global oil and liquefied natural gas, remains closed. The Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) previously reopened the strait temporarily but closed it again, citing the US blockade as a violation of ceasefire terms. Traffic data from MarineTraffic indicated a complete standstill in the strait on Sunday.
Trump further accused Iran of violating the ceasefire by attacking ships in the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday, naming a French vessel and a UK-linked freighter. French shipping company CMA CGM confirmed one of its vessels was targeted with "warning shots." However, the UK's defence and transport ministries reported no attacks on UK-linked ships that day. India confirmed two Indian-flagged ships were involved in a shooting incident in the area.
The US President reiterated threats against Iran should a deal not be finalised, stating, "If they don't take the DEAL, it will be my Honour to do what has to be done."
