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US says it seized Iranian ship refusing to comply with blockade
April 19, 2026
Posted 3 hours ago by
US says it seized Iranian ship refusing to comply with blockade The US Central Command says American forces have seized an Iranian-flagged cargo vessel in the Arabian Sea after it allegedly breached a naval blockade that Iran considers to be illegal. In a post on X, the military said it issued repeated warnings over six hours before opening fire when the ship failed to comply.
“American forces issued multiple warnings and informed the Iranian-flagged vessel it was in violation of the U.S. blockade. After Touska’s crew failed to comply with repeated warnings over a six-hour period, Spruance directed the vessel to evacuate its engine room. Spruance disabled Touska’s propulsion by firing several rounds from the destroyer’s 5-inch MK 45 Gun into Touska’s engine room. “U.S. Marines from the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit later boarded the non-compliant vessel, which remains in U.S. custody”, the statement says. Iranian media have offered a different account, claiming Iranian forces returned fire and forced US vessels to withdraw.
Middle East Eye
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