US President Donald Trump said on Sunday that American forces have intercepted an Iranian-flagged cargo ship in the Gulf region. He highlighted the action as part of the ongoing naval blockade against Iran.
Trump shared the update in a post on TruthSocial, saying the vessel named Touska was stopped after it failed to follow US warnings.
Ship seized after ignoring warning
According to Donald Trump, the ship did not respond when asked to halt.
“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 wrote.
He added that the US Navy took direct action after the warning was ignored. “so our Navy ship stopped them right in their tracks by blowing a hole in the engine room.”
Trump also said the vessel is under US Treasury sanctions due to its alleged involvement in illegal activities. “The TOUSKA is under US Treasury Sanctions because of their prior history of illegal activity. We have full custody of the ship, and are seeing what’s on board!”
Move comes ahead of fresh peace talks
The interception comes at a sensitive time. The White House has confirmed that JD Vance will lead the US delegation for the second round of talks with Iran. Pakistan has offered to mediate these discussions.
However, Iran has not officially confirmed its participation. Reports from Iranian state media suggest that Tehran may stay away while the US naval blockade near the Strait of Hormuz continues.
US military releases interception footage
Meanwhile, US Central Command released video footage showing a naval vessel intercepting a cargo ship. The footage reportedly shows a gun firing towards the ship during the operation, indicating the seriousness of the encounter.
Blockade follows failed first round of talks
Donald Trump had announced the naval blockade on Friday. He said it would remain in place until both sides reach an agreement. The decision came after the first round of negotiations earlier this month failed to produce a deal.
Conflict timeline and key disputes
The current conflict began on February 28 after the United States and Israel carried out airstrikes across Iran. Fighting continued until both sides agreed to a two-week ceasefire.
However, tensions remain high as major disagreements are still unresolved. The key issues include Iran’s nuclear programme and control over the Strait of Hormuz, a critical route for global oil transport.
Ceasefire nearing deadline
Earlier on Sunday, Donald Trump said US representatives would arrive in Pakistan on Monday for the next round of talks. The ongoing two-week ceasefire between Iran and the United States is set to expire on Wednesday, adding urgency to the negotiations.