US forces disable and seize Iranian flagged vessel after six hour standoff, Tehran condemns move and warns of retaliation…reports Asian Lite News
The United States has seized an Iranian flagged cargo vessel after opening fire on it in the Arabian Sea, prompting a sharp warning from Iran, which described the action as “armed piracy” and vowed retaliation. The incident comes just days before a fragile ceasefire between the two sides is due to expire, heightening tensions in an already volatile region.
According to US Central Command, American naval forces engaged the vessel, identified as M V Touska, after it attempted to breach a US imposed blockade on Iranian maritime activity. The command said there was a six hour standoff during which repeated warnings were issued to the ship, informing it that it was in violation of the blockade.
When the crew failed to comply, a US guided missile destroyer struck the vessel’s engine room, disabling its propulsion system. US Marines subsequently boarded the ship and took control of it.
The operation marks the first known use of force since Washington introduced the maritime blockade earlier this month, significantly raising the stakes in tensions centred around the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for global energy supplies.
Iranian officials reacted strongly, accusing Washington of aggression. In a statement issued by the Khatam al Anbiya Central Headquarters, Iranian authorities warned that the country’s armed forces would respond and retaliate against what they termed “armed piracy” by the US military.
Iran’s military said its personnel did not resist the boarding in order to avoid putting the crew and their families at risk, citing safety concerns as the primary reason for not engaging US forces.
US officials maintained that the vessel had ignored multiple radio warnings before action was taken. The destroyer USS Spruance ordered the crew to evacuate the engine room before firing several rounds to disable the ship.
American forces are now inspecting thousands of containers aboard the vessel to determine the nature of its cargo. The Touska had already been under US sanctions and was being closely monitored for suspected links to Iranian supply networks.
The confrontation comes as a two week ceasefire between the United States and Iran nears its end, with uncertainty over whether it will be extended. The incident has further heightened concerns over stability in the region, particularly around the Strait of Hormuz, which has long been a flashpoint due to its strategic importance for global oil shipments.
Previous standoffs in the area have led to spikes in energy prices and raised fears of a broader conflict, underlining the significance of the latest escalation.
