US Intercepts Iranian Cargo Ship Near Strait of Hormuz
US Navy Operation Against Iranian Vessel
The United States has successfully intercepted an Iranian-flagged cargo ship that allegedly attempted to bypass a naval blockade in the Strait of Hormuz. This marks the first interception since the blockade of Iranian ports was initiated last week. The US Central Command has released footage of the operation, which involved personnel from the amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli (LHA-7) and the guided-missile destroyer USS Spruance (DDG-111). According to reports, the cargo vessel, identified as M/V Touska, ignored multiple warnings over a span of nearly six hours while navigating through the Arabian Sea.
After the vessel's non-compliance, the USS Spruance disabled its propulsion system, effectively immobilizing it. Subsequently, US Marines were deployed from the USS Tripoli via helicopters to conduct an airborne boarding operation. Dramatic footage captured the Marines rappelling onto the deck of the ship to secure control. The CENTCOM shared on social media, "U.S. Marines depart amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli (LHA 7) by helicopter and transit over the Arabian Sea to board and seize M/V Touska. The Marines rappelled onto the Iranian-flagged vessel, April 19, after guided-missile destroyer USS Spruance (DDG 111) disabled Touska’s propulsion when the commercial ship failed to comply with repeated warnings from U.S. forces over a six-hour period."
CENTCOM
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Earlier, US Central Command had shared a video on social media showing a message sent by a US Mariner to the Iranian-flagged tanker, capturing the moments leading up to the seizure of Touska. Former US President Donald Trump commented that the US Navy guided missile destroyer in the Gulf of Oman "stopped them right in their tracks by blowing a hole in the engine room" and confirmed that U.S. Marines had taken custody of the vessel, stating they were "seeing what’s on board!" In response, Iran's military promised a swift reaction to the US's actions regarding the Iranian-flagged tanker. Shortly after, Iranian state media reported that the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) compelled US troops to withdraw from the Strait of Hormuz.