Trump says US captured Iranian-flagged cargo ship after it tried to break blockade

President Donald Trump announced that U.S. Marines have taken custody of an Iranian-flagged cargo ship, the TOUSKA, after it attempted to breach a U.S. naval blockade in the Strait of Hormuz. The U.S. Navy destroyer USS SPRUANCE intercepted the vessel in the Gulf of Oman and, after repeated warnings were ignored, disabled its propulsion by firing into the engine room. U.S. Marines then boarded and secured the ship, which is reportedly under U.S. Treasury sanctions for prior illegal activity. This incident marks the first use of military force in this manner against a vessel attempting to break the blockade. U.S. Central Command confirmed the actions were deliberate, professional, and proportional. The seizure occurred days after the U.S. initiated blockades in the Strait of Hormuz and from all Iranian ports, following escalating actions by Iran, including attacks on merchant vessels. Tehran viewed the U.S. action as escalatory, potentially impacting ongoing peace talks. Prior to this, U.S. forces had returned over 20 vessels to Iran without incident.