Navy Fired On, Seized Iranian Ship, Trump Says
U.S. forces have seized an Iranian-flagged vessel in the Gulf of Oman after it attempted to pass through an American naval blockade, according to a statement posted Sunday by President Trump. He said the ship, identified as the Touska, failed to follow orders from U.S. forces to stop. Trump said a U.S. Navy ship fired on the vessel, damaging its engine room and halting its movement.
After the ship was disabled, U.S. Marines boarded and took full control of it. Trump said American personnel now have custody of the vessel and are inspecting what it was carrying. He also stated that the Touska had previously been sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury Department for involvement in illegal activities. According to reports, a guided-missile destroyer carried out the interception.
The incident came amid continuing tensions between the United States and Iran. Earlier Sunday, Trump said American negotiators were heading back to Pakistan for talks. However, Iranian state media later reported that Iran had not agreed to resume negotiations. Iranian officials cited what they described as excessive demands from the U.S., shifting positions in the negotiations, and the ongoing naval blockade as reasons for refusing to return to talks.
Iran has previously threatened at the last moment not to attend negotiations but ultimately participated. On Sunday, both sides accused the other of violating a ceasefire. Trump said Iranian forces had fired at ships traveling through the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian officials, meanwhile, said the U.S. naval blockade amounts to a war crime and a crime against humanity, arguing that it is designed to pressure the Iranian population.
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