New footage reveals how US Marine commandos boarded and took control of an Iranian-flagged cargo ship in the Arabian Sea during the weekend. This incident represents a fresh escalation in the tensions between the US and Iran, with activities now centered on the Strait of Hormuz.
Last week, the US declared a blockade affecting vessels traveling to or from Iranian ports in the strait. Officials had cautioned that any ship connected to Iran attempting to exit into the Arabian Sea could face seizure.
On Sunday, the US Navy acted on this by intercepting and capturing the Iranian-flagged cargo ship Touska. The video depicts a US naval vessel firing toward the cargo ship, followed by marines descending via ropes to board it.
US Central Command stated that the marines conducted the operation after the ship ignored multiple warnings over six hours. The guided-missile destroyer USS Spruance halted the ship’s engines before the boarding team secured it.
Following the capture, US President Donald Trump announced that the marines had taken full possession of the vessel and were inspecting its cargo. He claimed the ship violated US Treasury sanctions due to past unlawful actions and was stopped in the Gulf of Oman after disregarding alerts from American forces.
The blockade order came after unsuccessful peace negotiations in Islamabad. Trump directed the naval restriction on this vital oil passage.
Iran has promised to retaliate. Its military indicated the ship originated from China. A spokesperson, via state media, declared that Iran’s armed forces would soon counter this act of armed piracy by the US.
Iran’s First Vice President Mohammadreza Aref posted on social media: ‘Restricting Iran’s oil exports while demanding security for others is unacceptable. The options are a fair oil market for everyone or high risks for all.’
According to Iran’s judiciary news agency Mizan, President Masoud Pezeshkian spoke by phone with Pakistan’s prime minister today. Pezeshkian accused the US of intimidation and irrational conduct in talks and the truce.
He cautioned that American actions and threats have heightened doubts among Iranian leaders about Washington’s commitment to diplomacy and the risk of it undermining agreements again.
