US intercepts Iranian vessel in Gulf of Oman
The Iran tanker seizure has escalated tensions after US President Donald Trump announced the interception of an Iranian cargo vessel in the Gulf of Oman. According to his statement, the ship attempted to breach a US-imposed naval blockade and was subsequently brought under American control.
Trump said the vessel, identified as TOUSKA, is nearly 274 metres long and comparable in weight to an aircraft carrier. He claimed it tried to pass through the blockade before being intercepted by the guided missile destroyer USS Spruance.
Warning ignored before US action
According to Trump, the US Navy issued a clear warning to the vessel to halt. However, he alleged that the crew refused to comply, prompting US forces to take direct action.
“The Iranian crew refused to obey, so our Navy ship stopped it immediately by creating a hole in the engine room,” Trump said, indicating that the vessel was disabled and immobilised.
The Iran tanker seizure resulted in the ship now being under the supervision of US Marines. Trump added that the vessel had previously been sanctioned by the US Treasury over alleged involvement in illegal activities.
Iran warns of imminent retaliation
Tehran reacted angrily to the Iran tanker seizure, warning of a swift response. A spokesperson for Iran’s armed forces said via Telegram that retaliation was imminent, describing the US action as “armed piracy.”
The statement warned that Iran’s military would take countermeasures against US forces and accused Washington of violating a ceasefire that has been in place since April 8.
Rising tensions over Strait of Hormuz
The incident comes amid heightened instability in the region. Iran had announced on Friday that it would lift its blockade in the Strait of Hormuz, a vital global energy route through which roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil and gas supply passes.
However, by Saturday, Tehran reversed its decision, reinstating strict control in response to Washington’s continued blockade of Iranian ports.
In a separate statement on Sunday, Trump accused Tehran of breaching the ceasefire by launching attacks against vessels, including French and British ships.
Also read: International conference on the Strait of Hormuz in Paris
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