ARABIAN SEA / TAMPA, Fla., — April 20, 2026 : U.S. military forces intercepted and seized an Iranian-flagged cargo vessel in the northern Arabian Sea on April 19, enforcing an ongoing naval blockade directed by the U.S. Central Command against Iran.
The guided-missile destroyer USS Spruance (DDG 111) intercepted the motor vessel Touska as it transited at approximately 17 knots toward Bandar Abbas, Iran. U.S. personnel tracked the vessel and issued repeated warnings over a six-hour period, informing the crew that the ship was in violation of the blockade and instructing it to alter course.
After the vessel failed to comply, U.S. forces directed the crew to evacuate the engine room. Audio released by Central Command captured the warning instructing the crew to prepare for disabling fire. The Spruance subsequently fired multiple rounds from its 5-inch MK 45 deck gun into the vessel’s engine room, disabling its propulsion.
Following the disabling action, U.S. Marines from the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit boarded the vessel from helicopters operating in coordination with the amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli (LHA 7). The Marines secured the non-compliant vessel, which is now under U.S. custody. No casualties were reported among the crew or U.S. personnel.
Central Command stated that U.S. forces acted in a deliberate, professional, and proportional manner to ensure compliance with the blockade. Video footage of the operation released by the command includes recordings of the warnings issued prior to the use of force.
The interception marks the first confirmed instance of a vessel being physically disabled and boarded since the blockade began on April 13. Prior to this operation, U.S. forces had directed 25 commercial vessels to turn around or return to Iranian ports without using kinetic force.
The enforcement action took place amid a two-week ceasefire between the United States and Iran, scheduled to expire on April 22. Donald Trump confirmed that U.S. forces had taken full custody of the vessel and stated that authorities are inspecting its cargo.
Iranian authorities condemned the interception. The Hazrat Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters described the action as maritime piracy and a violation of the ceasefire, warning of a potential response by Iran’s armed forces.
Separately, Iranian state media reported that Iran intercepted and redirected two oil tankers flying the flags of Botswana and Angola in the Strait of Hormuz on the same day, underscoring rising maritime tensions in the region.
The Touska, approximately 900 feet in length, remains under U.S. control as inspections continue.
——— End of Article ———
