The vessel was attempting to make its way past American forces in the Gulf of Oman, the US president has said
Published 19 Apr, 2026 19:45
| Updated 19 Apr, 2026 21:58
The cargo ship Touska after hitting Magazine Island off Hong Kong in 2017. © Sam Tsang / South China Morning Post / Getty Images
The US has seized an Iranian-flagged cargo ship in the Gulf of Oman as it attempted to breach the American naval blockade around Iran, President Donald Trump has announced.
“The US Navy guided-missile destroyer USS Spruance intercepted the Touska in the Gulf of Oman and issued a warning to stop,” Trump wrote on Truth Social on Sunday.
“The Iranian crew refused to comply, so our Navy ship stopped them in their tracks by blowing a hole in the engine room,” the president added.
Trump said that the ship had been sanctioned by the US due to its “prior history of illegal activity.”
pic.twitter.com/Bm2S7RGJWf
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) April 19, 2026
Trump announced the blockade of Iranian ports last week after Pakistani-mediated talks failed to achieve a breakthrough. Iran said it would close the Strait of Hormuz, which handles around 20% of global oil and liquefied natural gas trade, to “enemy ships” until the blockade is lifted.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei denounced the blockade on Sunday as “unlawful and criminal.”