Newsletters
Iranian forces launched drone strikes Sunday targeting multiple U.S. vessels, local media reported, in response to U.S. forces firing on and intercepting an Iranian cargo ship.
The semi-official Tasnim News Agency reported that drones were launched at several U.S. warships after American forces boarded the container ship TOUSKA in the Gulf of Oman.
Fars News Agency, also semi-official, reported that Iran’s Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters accused U.S. forces of disabling the vessel’s navigation system before boarding it. Military spokesman Ebrahim Zolfaghari added that U.S. forces opened fire on the ship prior to the boarding.
Iranian authorities had earlier confirmed the seizure of the vessel and warned that a response would come "soon."
Tensions sharpened after U.S. naval forces opened fire on the vessel, as it attempted to bypass a maritime blockade imposed on Iranian ports earlier this month.
U.S. President Donald Trump stated that the ship failed to comply with instructions, prompting direct action.
"Iranian crew refused to listen, so our naval ship opened a hole in the engine room to stop them," Trump said, adding that the vessel is now under the supervision of U.S. Marines.
U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed that the destroyer USS Spruance intercepted the ship while it was sailing toward Bandar Abbas at a speed of 17 knots.
According to the U.S. military, the crew ignored repeated warnings over a six-hour period. The destroyer then ordered the evacuation of the engine room before firing rounds from its MK 45 gun, disabling the vessel.
Helicopter-borne Marines boarded and secured the ship shortly after it was immobilized. U.S. forces have since begun inspecting the vessel and its cargo, which remain in American custody pending further decisions.
CENTCOM noted that this marks the first reported attempt by a vessel to evade the blockade imposed on April 13. Since then, US forces have turned back 25 commercial ships, all of which complied with earlier warnings.
Tracking data shows the Touska departed Port Klang in Malaysia on April 12, days before the blockade took effect.
The interception unfolded amid ongoing disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, where shipping traffic has been strained following a U.S-Israeli offensive against Iran that began on Feb. 28.
Iranian state media also reported that Tehran does not plan to attend upcoming talks with the United States, despite Trump directing U.S. negotiators to travel to Pakistan ahead of the expiration of a ceasefire in the region.
Set as preferred source
Set as preferred source
1 min read
1 min read
