US Navy Seizes Iranian Cargo Ship M/V Touska Following Blockade Defiance

ARABIAN SEA — The United States military enforced its strict blockade of Iranian ports on Sunday, seizing an Iran-linked merchant vessel in the Arabian Sea. Footage released by U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) shows the guided-missile destroyer USS Spruance firing upon and disabling the M/V Touska before U.S. Marines boarded the ship via helicopter.

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The incident occurred as the M/V Touska steamed toward Bandar Abbas, Iran. According to CENTCOM, the USS Spruance issued warnings to the vessel over a six-hour period. When the ship failed to comply with orders to change course, the destroyer utilized its 5-inch gun to fire several rounds, disabling the vessel's engine room. Following the engagement, Marines from the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, staged aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli, rappelled onto the deck to take control.

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The M/V Touska is owned by the Tehran-based Mosakhar Darya Shipping Co., an entity that has been subject to U.S. Treasury sanctions for several years. Maritime tracking data indicates the ship’s recent movements included stops in Malaysia and China before attempting to enter Iranian waters. The vessel currently remains in U.S. custody and is being evaluated to determine the nature of its cargo.

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International maritime experts suggest the ship could be designated as "spoils of war" or a "prize." Under the laws of naval warfare, a vessel that attempts to run a blockade during an active conflict can be seized and processed through a prize court. This process would determine if the U.S. government takes permanent ownership of the ship and its contents. The status of the crew is also under review, with officials noting that detention or repatriation will depend on their nationalities and affiliation with the Iranian government.

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This escalation comes at a sensitive diplomatic juncture. The Trump administration recently announced expectations for peace talks with Iran to resume this week in Islamabad, Pakistan. However, Tehran has already vowed to retaliate for the seizure of the Touska and has not yet officially committed to attending the scheduled negotiations.

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The USS Spruance is part of the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group and is homeported in San Diego. The Navy stated that the operation was carried out to ensure the blockade remains a credible deterrent against Iranian maritime commerce while hostilities continue.

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