Arabic version: البحرية الأمريكية تستولي على سفينة شحن إيرانية، مما يزيد من التوترات

According to BBC News,

The US Navy has intercepted and seized an Iranian-flagged cargo ship in the Gulf, according to President Donald Trump. The vessel, named TOUSKA, was captured after it failed to respond to warnings to stop, leading the Navy to take action against it.

Trump announced the seizure on his Truth Social platform, stating that the US had given the ship fair warning. He described the incident, claiming that the Navy disabled the ship by firing on its engineroom. The TOUSKA is reportedly under US Treasury sanctions due to its previous illegal activities. US Central Command has released footage showing the interception of the cargo ship.

Iran has condemned the action, calling it a violation of the ceasefire and an act of “armed piracy.” A spokesperson for Iran’s military stated that the US had opened fire on one of Iran’s commercial vessels and promised retaliation. The Iranian government has yet to confirm its participation in upcoming negotiations with the US, which are set to take place in Pakistan.

The conflict has escalated following US and Israeli strikes on Iran that began on February 28. Negotiations aimed at ending the war have been complicated by ongoing military actions and the US blockade of Iranian ports. Trump has stated that the blockade will continue until a deal is reached between the two nations.

As the situation develops, the Strait of Hormuz, a critical oil transport route, remains closed, with Iran asserting that it will not reopen until the US lifts its blockade. The ongoing conflict has significantly reduced maritime traffic in the region, affecting global energy prices.