The United States has reportedly seized an Iranian-flagged cargo vessel in a major naval operation, with US President Donald Trump claiming the ship was intercepted for allegedly violating a naval blockade in the Gulf of Oman.
According to the US Central Command, the Iranian vessel—reportedly identified as the container ship MV Tosca—was stopped while heading toward Bandar Abbas in northern Arabian Sea waters. Officials stated that the ship failed to comply with repeated instructions to halt, prompting direct military action.
The US Navy reportedly targeted the vessel’s engine room to disable its movement before boarding and taking full control. Search and inspection operations are currently underway to examine the cargo onboard.
Maritime tracking data indicates that the vessel, registered under the Iranian flag, had significantly reduced speed to around 1.2 knots hours before interception, suggesting possible attempts to avoid detection or maneuvering restrictions.
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In a post on Truth Social, Donald Trump said US forces acted against what he described as a blockade violation attempt near the Strait of Hormuz. He claimed the ship “Tosca” was approximately 900 feet long and comparable in weight to an aircraft carrier, making it one of the larger cargo vessels in the region.
Trump further stated that the vessel ignored warnings issued by a US Navy guided-missile destroyer, reportedly the USS Spruance, which intercepted the ship in the Gulf of Oman before disabling it.
According to his account, US Marines later boarded the vessel after it was immobilized and took full control, while the cargo is now being inspected under US authority. He also claimed the ship was previously listed under US sanctions due to alleged illegal activity.
However, Iran strongly rejected the US action, calling it “maritime piracy” and warning of retaliation. Iranian military officials accused Washington of violating a ceasefire understanding and stated that the seized vessel was en route from China to Iran at the time of interception.
The incident has significantly heightened tensions in the strategically sensitive Strait of Hormuz region, a critical global oil shipping route. Analysts warn that the confrontation could further destabilize already fragile US-Iran relations and impact international maritime security.
