Washington, April 20: The US Navy has seized an Iranian-flagged cargo ship attempting to bypass a naval blockade in the Gulf of Oman, according to President Donald Trump. The Iranian military has issued a warning, vowing to retaliate against the United States for this action.
In a post on Truth Social, President Trump stated, “The cargo ship, named TOUSKEA, which is approximately 900 feet long and weighs as much as an aircraft carrier, attempted to breach our naval blockade. This did not end well for them. The guided missile destroyer USS SPRUANCE warned TOUSKEA to stop in the Gulf of Oman.”
Trump further explained, “The Iranian crew refused to comply, so our Navy ship disabled their engine room. Currently, the US Marines have custody of the ship. TOUSKEA is under US financial sanctions due to previous illegal activities. We have full custody and are investigating the ship’s contents.”
In response, the Iranian military warned that it would retaliate against the US for its actions against the Iranian vessel. According to a post on the Telegram channel of Iran’s state broadcaster IRIB, the Iranian military stated, “The aggressor America has violated the ceasefire and committed piracy in the waters of the Oman Sea by attacking an Iranian commercial ship.”
The Iranian military also claimed that the US had destroyed the ship’s navigational equipment and deployed troops on deck. The post concluded with a warning: “We advise that the Islamic Republic of Iran’s military will soon respond to this armed maritime robbery by the United States.”
Earlier, President Trump announced that US representatives were traveling to Islamabad, Pakistan, for talks with Iran. Following this announcement, the US Navy reported the seizure of the Iranian ship.
Tehran has not publicly confirmed whether it will send officials for the meeting, although Iranian sources informed CNN that a delegation would arrive in Pakistan on Tuesday.
According to US media, the White House stated that the delegation traveling to Pakistan includes Vice President JD Vance, Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, and President Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner.
Iranian sources told CNN that the delegation from Tehran would consist of the same officials involved in previous talks held in Pakistan, while several Iranian media agencies expressed skepticism about whether Tehran had agreed to the negotiations.
My name is Himanshu Tiwari. I am an experienced content writer with several years of expertise in the field. Currently, I contribute to Daily Kiran, creating engaging and informative content across a variety of categories including TECHNOLOGY, health, travel, education, and automobiles. My goal is to deliver accurate, insightful, and captivating information through my words to help readers stay informed and empowered.
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