The U.S. Navy opened fire on and seized an Iranian-flagged cargo vessel in the Gulf of Oman on Sunday after the ship attempted to bypass an American blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.
President Donald Trump confirmed the engagement via Truth Social, marking the first time force has been used to enforce the maritime restrictions he established just one week ago.
The guided-missile destroyer USS Spruance (DDG-111) intercepted the M/V Touska as the 900-foot tanker transited the north Arabian Sea toward the Iranian port of Bandar Abbas at 17 knots. According to military reports, the encounter followed a six-hour standoff during which the Touska ignored repeated warnings that it was in violation of U.S. policy.
The blockade, first announced by the president on April 12, targets vessels attempting to pay Iranian tolls using Chinese yuan or cryptocurrency. President Trump stated the Touska was already under U.S. Treasury sanctions for prior illegal activity.
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“The Iranian crew refused to listen, so our Navy ship stopped them right in their tracks by blowing a hole in the engineroom [sic],” Trump posted. He noted that the vessel is nearly as heavy as an aircraft carrier and that the engagement “did not go well for them.”
Before opening fire, the USS Spruance directed the Touska’s crew to evacuate the engine room. The destroyer then used its 5-inch MK 45 gun to disable the tanker’s propulsion system. Following the strike, U.S. Marines from the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit boarded the disabled ship.
“Right now, U.S. Marines have custody of the vessel,” Trump said. “We have full custody of the ship, and are seeing what’s on board!”
The Pentagon described the Navy’s actions as deliberate and proportional. Since the blockade began, American forces have successfully intercepted or turned back 25 other commercial vessels. The Touska remains in U.S. custody as officials begin an inspection of its cargo.
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