The United States has intercepted and seized an Iranian-flagged cargo vessel in the Gulf, according to President Donald Trump, escalating tensions between Washington and Tehran despite an ongoing ceasefire.
Trump said the ship, identified as the Touska, was stopped by the US Navy after it failed to comply with orders to halt. Writing on his Truth Social platform, he claimed the vessel attempted to breach a US-imposed naval blockade.
“An Iranian-flagged cargo ship named TOUSKA tried to get past our Naval Blockade, and it did not go well for them,” Trump wrote, adding that US forces disabled the vessel after it ignored warnings.
He said the ship, which is under US Treasury sanctions, is now in American custody while authorities inspect its cargo.
The US military’s US Central Command later released footage showing a naval vessel firing toward a cargo ship during the interception.
Iran, however, condemned the action as a violation of the ceasefire. A spokesperson for the country’s Khatam al-Anbiya Headquarters said US forces opened fire on a commercial vessel in the Sea of Oman, boarded it, and disabled its navigation systems.
Tehran described the incident as an “act of armed piracy” and warned of imminent retaliation.
The seizure comes as diplomatic efforts to end the conflict face uncertainty. The White House confirmed that Vice-President JD Vance will lead a delegation to Pakistan for a possible second round of talks with Iran. Senior advisers Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are also expected to join.
However, Iranian state media reported that Tehran will not participate in negotiations while the US naval blockade remains in place.
The conflict began on 28 February with US and Israeli strikes on Iran and has since seen weeks of escalating attacks across the region. A temporary truce is set to expire later this week.
Tensions have been further heightened by the continued closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global energy route through which around 20% of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas typically passes.
Iran has refused to reopen the waterway fully, accusing the US of breaching ceasefire terms through its blockade. The disruption has significantly reduced shipping traffic and driven up global energy prices.
Trump has warned Iran against using the strait as leverage, stating it cannot “blackmail” the United States. He also threatened further military action if Tehran does not agree to a deal.
Meanwhile, reports have emerged of multiple maritime incidents in the region. A vessel operated by French shipping company CMA CGM was reportedly targeted with warning shots, while maritime authorities have recorded attacks on other ships, though details remain limited.
India also confirmed that two of its vessels were involved in a shooting incident in the area.
As tensions rise and negotiations remain uncertain, concerns are growing over the risk of a broader conflict and further disruption to global energy supplies.