US Marines took control of an Iranian-flagged commercial ship following a six-hour standoff in the Arabian Sea, according to US Central Command on April 20.
The operation included U.S. Navy warships and Marines from the amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli.
This was the first reported seizure of an Iranian-linked cargo ship since Washington began a naval blockade of Iranian ports earlier this month.
The vessel, identified as M/V Touska, was intercepted on April 19 while sailing toward Iran. U.S. officials said the ship ignored repeated instructions to stop and change course, prompting a staged military response that ended with Marines boarding and taking control of the vessel at sea.
U.S Interception at Sea
U.S. Central Command said the guided-missile destroyer USS Spruance encountered M/V Touska in the northern Arabian Sea as it headed toward Bandar Abbas, Iran’s main commercial port.
The U.S. forces said the vessel was told it was violating the U.S. naval blockade of Iranian ports and was ordered several times to comply.
The officials said radio warnings were issued over a six‑hour period. When the ship failed to respond, U.S. sailors directed the crew of Touska to evacuate the engine room.
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USS Spruance then fired several rounds from its 5-inch MK-45 naval gun into the engine room, which disabled the ship’s propulsion and left it unable to move.
Central Command said the goal was to stop the ship without sinking it or causing more damage.
No casualties were reported, and there was no sign of return fire from the Iranian-flagged vessel.
Touska is a container ship built in 2008 and registered under the Iranian flag.
The vessel is listed under U.S. Treasury sanctions related to Iran’s shipping sector.
U.S. officials did not share details about the ship’s cargo and said inspections are ongoing after the seizure.
Marine Boarding from USS Tripoli
After the ship was disabled, U.S. Marines from the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit flew in by helicopter from USS Tripoli.
Video from U.S. Central Command showed Marines rappelling onto the ship’s deck at night.
Once on board, Marines secured the ship and took control.
Central Command said M/V Touska is still in U.S. custody. The destination of the ship and the status of its crew have not been made public.
President Donald Trump confirmed the seizure in a statement, saying the vessel ignored warnings and that U.S. forces now have full control of the ship.
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He said Touska was under U.S. sanctions and that its seizure followed repeated non‑compliance with U.S. orders.
“The TOUSKA is under U.S. Treasury Sanctions because of its prior history of illegal activity. We have full custody of the ship, and are seeing what’s on board,” President Donald Trump stated.
Trump on Next Steps for Iran
President Donald Trump said the U.S. will continue to pressure Iran with military and economic actions, but is still open to negotiations.
He confirmed that the U.S. naval blockade of Iranian ports will stay in place, even as ceasefire efforts continue in other parts of the region.
Trump said the seizure of the Iranian-flagged ship M/V Touska shows that U.S. forces will act against ships that ignore warnings or try to break the blockade.
He warned Iran not to retaliate or try to disrupt shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, saying the United States will protect commercial traffic and its own assets.
Trump said Iran cannot force concessions by threatening global trade routes.
He also said U.S. negotiators are ready for talks, with Pakistan acting as a mediator, but only if Iran stops actions that threaten maritime security.
President Donald Trump said U.S. policy will remain under review as events develop.
