• Trump asserts US Navy seized Iranian-flagged cargo ship Touska near Hormuz.
• US forces reportedly fired to disable vessel after crew ignored warnings.
• Iran warns of imminent retaliation amid heightened tensions.

President Donald Trump announced that US forces have seized an Iranian-flagged cargo ship named Touska after it attempted to bypass a naval blockade in the Strait of Hormuz. Trump detailed on social media that the US Navy intercepted the vessel, claiming it was "stopped ... by blowing a hole in the engine room." The statement indicated that the USS Spruance, a guided missile destroyer, had warned the ship to stop but received no compliance from the crew, leading to the engagement. The Touska is under US Treasury sanctions due to previous illicit activities, according to reports from Al Jazeera, India Times, and BBC.

According to US Central Command (CENTCOM), the operation against the Touska lasted over six hours and involved multiple warnings before the ship was ultimately stopped. CENTCOM confirmed Trump’s assertions of the vessel being directed towards the Iranian port of Bandar Abbas. The agency maintained that US forces acted in a “deliberate, professional, and proportional manner,” with claims that since the initiation of the blockade, 25 vessels have been turned back from Iranian ports, citing Le Monde and India Times.

The situation has sparked significant concern from Iran, with military officials denouncing the seizure as an act of “armed piracy”. Initially, Iranian state media contradicted the US narrative, claiming that its forces successfully repelled an attempt by the US to seize the vessel. However, Iran later confirmed the seizure, stating that the US had violated a ceasefire agreement. Iran’s military spokesperson threatened retaliation, emphasizing that measures would be taken against what they termed as “maritime piracy” by the US, sources including India Times and Le Monde reported.

Amidst these escalating tensions, Trump mentioned plans for further diplomatic negotiations in Pakistan, although Iran has expressed skepticism regarding participation due to ongoing US military actions and “excessive demands.” This incident raises further questions concerning the potential for future talks, as the fragile ceasefire is set to expire soon, with analysts highlighting the precarious nature of diplomatic relations in the current climate, according to BBC and Le Monde.