The vessel was attempting to make its way past American forces in the Gulf of Oman, the US president has said
The US has seized an Iranian-flagged cargo ship in the Gulf of Oman as it tried to pierce the American naval blockade around Iran, President Donald Trump has announced.
The US launched the naval blockade of Iran on April 13, targeting all vessels entering or leaving Iranian ports. The move was announced shortly after negotiations between Tehran and Washington in Islamabad fell through over the weekend.
“The US Navy Guided Missile Destroyer USS SPRUANCE intercepted the TOUSKA in the Gulf of Oman, and gave them fair warning to stop,” Trump wrote on Truth Social on Sunday.
“The Iranian crew refused to listen, so our Navy ship stopped them right in their tracks by blowing a hole in the engine room.”
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) April 19, 2026
Earlier in the day, Trump announced that the US delegation was on its way to Islamabad for a new round of talks with Iran. There would be “No more MR. Nice Guy,” if Tehran didn’t take his “fair and reasonable deal,” he said in a Truth Social post.
Tehran has not yet formally replied on the matter.
However, Iran’s ambassador to Pakistan has stressed that the dispute between Washington and Tehran will remain as long as the US naval blockade continues.
