The United States has fired upon and seized an Iranian cargo vessel identified as Touska in the Persian Gulf.
According to President Donald Trump, the ship, measuring nearly 275 meters in length and comparable in size to large aircraft carriers, attempted to bypass a US naval blockade around Iranian ports.
After the vessel reportedly ignored repeated orders to stop, the US Navy targeted its engine area, disabling it before taking control.
Iran condemned the seizure as an act of armed piracy and vowed retaliation. Authorities in Tehran also described the incident as a violation of the recently agreed two-week ceasefire between the two sides.
The escalation comes amid stalled diplomatic efforts. While the United States had indicated that further peace talks were planned in Pakistan, Iranian officials have refused to participate as long as US restrictions on its ports remain in place.
In recent days, Iran has again moved to close the Strait of Hormuz, accusing Washington of failing to honor prior commitments. The key shipping route had only briefly reopened less than 24 hours earlier.
