US Seizes Iranian Cargo Ship in Strait of Hormuz, Tehran Vows Retaliation

Iran's military headquarters confirmed a US attack on its cargo ship in the Sea of Oman, labeling it "maritime piracy." US CENTCOM stated the vessel was seized for violating a naval blockade. Tehran has warned of a swift response following the boarding of the ship by US Marines.

Iran's Hazrat Khatam al-Anbiya military headquarters has confirmed a US attack on an Iranian vessel in the Sea of Oman. In a strongly worded statement, Iran accused the United States of violating the ceasefire and engaging in acts of maritime piracy, while the headquarters reported that US forces opened fire on an Iranian ship within the waters of the Sea of Oman and deployed several "terrorist soldiers" onto the vessel's deck, subsequently disabling its navigation system.

Tehran Warns of Swift Retaliation

The official statement confirmed the seizure of the vessel and issued a stern warning of retaliatory action from Tehran, while iran stated that its armed forces wouldn't remain silent regarding the incident. "We warn that Iran's armed forces will soon respond to and take revenge for this robbery committed by the US military," the statement read. The Iranian leadership characterized the boarding and disabling of the ship as a direct provocation.

US Central Command (CENTCOM) Justification

The warning from Iran follows a statement by the US Central Command (CENTCOM), which announced that the US had forcibly seized an Iranian-flagged cargo ship on Sunday. According to CENTCOM, the vessel was attempting to bypass a naval blockade near the Strait of Hormuz. This incident marks the first of its kind since the blockade of Iranian ports was initiated last week. The US military maintains that the action was necessary to enforce the established maritime restrictions.

Details of the Interception and Engagement

The Iranian vessel was intercepted while en route to Bandar Abbas, Iran, traveling through the Northern Arabian Sea at a speed of 17 knots. The US military reported issuing multiple warnings to the Iranian-flagged ship, informing the crew that they were in violation of the US-led blockade. According to CENTCOM, the vessel repeatedly ignored these communications over a period of six hours.

USS Spruance and Marine Expeditionary Unit Action

Following the continued non-compliance by the crew of the vessel, identified as the Touska, the warship USS Spruance directed the ship to evacuate its engine room. When the Iranian crew failed to comply, the US Navy vessel fired upon the engine room, creating a breach to halt the ship's progress. Subsequently, US Marines from the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit boarded the non-compliant vessel. The ship remains in US custody, with the US command describing the operation as a deliberate, professional, and appropriate enforcement action.