President Donald Trump revealed on Monday that U.S. Navy forces have intercepted and seized a huge Iranian cargo ship attempting to run the American naval blockade in the Gulf.
In a Truth Social post, Trump described how the vessel Touska, stretching nearly 900 feet and weighing as much as an aircraft carrier, defied warnings to stop.
“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.
A U.S. warship responded by blasting a hole in its engine room after repeated ignored hails. “The TOUSKA is under U.S. Treasury Sanctions because of their prior history of illegal activity. We have full custody of the ship, and are seeing what’s on board!”
U.S. Central Command shared video of the confrontation, showing gunfire aimed at the freighter in the Sea of Oman. Iran decried it as piracy. A Khatam al-Anbiya statement said U.S. forces violated the ceasefire by firing on the commercial ship, disabling navigation, and boarding with marines.
“Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran will soon respond to and retaliate for this act of armed piracy by the U.S. Navy,” it warned.
This comes as second-round peace talks loom in Pakistan, led by Vice President JD Vance alongside advisers Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. Tehran calls the rumours untrue, blaming the blockade and U.S. demands for the impasse. The truce expires Wednesday.
Trump’s blockade, launched after failed initial negotiations, targets Iran’s nuclear programme and Strait of Hormuz control. The strait, vital for 21 per cent of world oil, stays shut, slashing traffic by 70 per cent and spiking Brent crude above $120 a barrel.
Saturday saw alleged Iranian strikes on ships, including a French vessel hit by warning shots. Trump threatened to raze Iranian infrastructure if no deal emerges. “If they don’t take the DEAL, it will be my Honour to do what has to be done.”
With retaliation threats mounting, the region braces for wider fallout.