U.S. forces disable Iranian vessel violating blockade

INTERNATIONAL (NPA) — The United States Central Command (CENTCOM) has announced that U.S. forces disabled an Iranian-flagged cargo vessel attempting to enter an Iranian port in violation of the ongoing naval blockade.

CENTCOM said the operation was carried out on April 19 by the guided-missile destroyer USS Spruance (DDG 111), which intercepted the vessel, identified as M/V Touska, in the northern Arabian Sea while en route to Bandar Abbas, Iran.

According to the command, U.S. forces issued multiple warnings to the vessel, informing its crew that it was in breach of the blockade. However, the crew reportedly failed to comply with the directives.

CENTCOM said that after repeated warnings over a six-hour period, the destroyer ordered the crew to evacuate the engine room before disabling the vessel’s propulsion system by firing rounds from its 5-inch MK 45 gun into the engine compartment.

The command added that U.S. Marines from the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit subsequently boarded the vessel, which is now in U.S. custody.

It stated that the operation was conducted in a deliberate, professional and proportional manner to ensure compliance with the blockade measures.

CENTCOM noted that since the commencement of the blockade, U.S. forces have directed at least 25 commercial vessels to turn back or return to Iranian ports.

The development comes amid rising tensions in the region, following Iran’s reimposition of the closure of the Strait of Hormuz in response to U.S. restrictions, a move Washington has described as a violation of a ceasefire agreement reached after recent talks in Islamabad.

U.S. President Donald Trump has warned of severe consequences if Iran continues to restrict access to the strategic waterway.