The United States has captured an Iranian-flagged cargo ship near the Strait of Hormuz by causing damage to the vessel, as stated by former President Donald Trump.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump revealed that the ship, known as the Touska, attempted to breach the US Naval Blockade on Sunday and faced repercussions from the US Marines in the Gulf of Oman. This incident marked the first interception since the US initiated the blockade of Iranian ports a week ago.
Trump emphasized that the Iranian crew disregarded warnings, leading the US Navy to intervene by creating a breach in the engine room. He highlighted that the Touska was already under US Treasury Sanctions due to past unlawful activities. The vessel is now under US control, and authorities are inspecting its contents. Iran has not provided an immediate response to these events.
Iran perceives the US blockade as a breach of the two-week ceasefire regarding maritime traffic in and out of its ports. Earlier on the same day, the Iranian state news agency IRNA reported that Tehran declined a subsequent round of peace discussions with the US.
Shortly before these developments, Trump announced that US negotiators would engage in talks in Islamabad and threatened to target Iran’s infrastructure if an agreement was not reached. These statements were a reiteration of previous warnings to strike civilian structures, which experts considered a violation of international law.
IRNA mentioned that Tehran’s decision to forgo negotiations was a result of the US’s unreasonable demands, inconsistent positions, and the ongoing naval blockade. The uncertainty surrounding the talks raised doubts about the US delegation’s visit to Pakistan and the potential extension of the ceasefire set to conclude soon.
Despite Iran’s commitment to diplomacy, as expressed by parliament speaker Mohammed Bagher Qalibaf, significant disparities persisted between the negotiating parties. While Pakistan had not confirmed the subsequent talks, security measures in Islamabad were heightened in preparation.
The White House disclosed that Vice-President JD Vance, who led the initial round of talks, would head the US delegation to Pakistan, accompanied by special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.
Iran reported receiving new proposals from the US, though it remains unclear if any concessions were made on contentious issues such as Iran’s nuclear activities, regional influence, and control over the Strait of Hormuz.
