An Iranian-flagged cargo ship was intercepted by the United States Navy in the Gulf of Oman after a confrontation on the high seas following orders given by President Donald Trump, with the vessel later remaining in U.S. custody.
The ship TOUSKA, which was sailing through the region after departing from Port Klang, a major port in Malaysia, was stopped by the U.S. Navy's guided missile destroyer, the USS Spruance. According to Trump's statements on his Truth Social network, the vessel tried to continue its course despite warnings from US forces
.“Today, an Iranian-flagged freighter called TOUSKA, almost 900 feet long and weighing almost as much as an aircraft carrier, tried to cross our Naval Blockade, and it didn't go well for them,” says part of the presidential statement.
The TOUSKA, under American control
The USS Spruance intercepted the ship and issued a warning before the situation escalated. “The Iranian crew refused to listen, so our Navy ship stopped them in their tracks by opening a hole in the engine room with one shot,” Trump's text states
.The president confirmed that, after the incident, the vessel was placed under the control and custody of the marines, who are reviewing what was on board it. The vessel, detained near the Iran-Pakistan border and more than 900 feet long, had been sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury for alleged previous illegal activities.
A video posted on social media by the War Department shows the moment when the TOUSKA was intercepted by US forces. The video includes audio of the ship's crew being warned that they will be shot if they refuse to stop, with the USS Spruance opening fire after the Iranians ignored the notification
