US Navy Seizes Iranian Cargo Ship Amid Tensions

Mon Apr 20 2026 00:12:15 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

The US has intercepted an Iranian-flagged cargo ship, escalating tensions between the US and Iran as diplomatic talks continue.

In a bold move, the US Navy seized an Iranian cargo ship named Touska in the Gulf, claiming it ignored warnings to stop. This incident comes amid ongoing diplomatic discussions aimed at de-escalating tensions between the two countries. President Trump announced the capture on his Truth Social platform, revealing that the ship was under US sanctions. This development occurs as negotiations in Pakistan are set to address larger issues, including Iran's nuclear program. The situation remains tense, with Iran denying plans to attend further talks as long as the US blockade is in effect.

The US has intercepted an Iranian-flagged cargo ship in the Gulf as part of its naval blockade, Donald Trump has said.

The US president wrote on his Truth Social platform that the Touska was seized by the US Navy after failing to respond to a warning to stop. Iran has not yet commented on the incident.

The announcement came after the White House confirmed US Vice-President JD Vance would lead another delegation for a second round of talks on ending the war with Iran in Pakistan.

Tehran has not yet confirmed its attendance. Iranian state media has reported that officials will not participate while the US blockade remains in place.

Today, an Iranian-flagged cargo ship named TOUSKA, nearly 900 feet long and weighing almost as much as an aircraft carrier, tried to get past our Naval Blockade, and it did not go well for them, Trump wrote.

He added that the US had given the vessel fair warning to stop, which was ignored, so our Navy ship stopped them right in their tracks by blowing a hole in the engineroom.

The TOUSKA is under US Treasury Sanctions because of their prior history of illegal activity. We have full custody of the ship, and are seeing what's on board!

US Central Command later released footage it said showed a naval vessel intercepting a cargo ship. In the footage, a gun can be seen firing in the direction of the cargo ship.

Trump said on Friday that the naval blockade of Iranian ports would continue until a deal was agreed by the two countries.

The conflict began with US and Israeli strikes across Iran on 28 February and continued with waves of attacks across the Middle East for five weeks until a two-week truce was declared.

Trump announced the naval blockade after a first round of negotiations earlier this month ended without an agreement. Key issues, including Iran's nuclear programme and control of the Strait of Hormuz - a key oil transport route - remain in contention.

A White House official told the BBC that, as well as Vance, the delegation will include Trump advisers Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, who were both also present at the previous talks.

But Iran's state news agency IRNA said reports of a second round of talks with the US were 'not true'.

It added that the US blockade, along with 'excessive' demands and threatening rhetoric from Washington, had 'so far hindered the progress of the negotiations'.

Nevertheless, preparations for further discussions have begun in the Pakistani capital, Islamabad.

The Strait of Hormuz remained closed on Sunday, a day after the Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) said it was ending a temporary reopening due to the US blockade, which it said violated the terms of their ceasefire agreement. Iran said it would stay closed until the US ended its naval blockade.

Trump has said Iran cannot 'blackmail' the US with threats regarding the waterway.

He threatened to knock out every bridge and power plant in Iran if Tehran did not agree to a peace deal.

If they don't take the DEAL, it will be my Honour to do what has to be done, Trump wrote in another Truth Social post on Sunday.