U.S. forces have taken control of an Iranian-flagged cargo ship following a tense naval encounter in the Gulf of Oman, according to a report by Times of Israel and statements attributed to former U.S. President Donald Trump.
The vessel, identified as the TOUSKA, was reportedly intercepted by the U.S. Navy after it attempted to breach a naval blockade around Iranian maritime routes. The incident was said to have occurred on Sunday, April 19, 2026.
Trump, speaking via his Truth Social platform, claimed that the ship ignored repeated orders to stop. He said the USS Spruance was deployed to intercept the vessel and issued warnings before taking action when the crew allegedly refused to comply.
According to his account, the Navy disabled the ship’s engine after it failed to halt, forcing it to stop at sea.
“The Iranian crew refused to listen, so our navy ship stopped them right in their tracks,” Trump stated, adding that U.S. Marines have since taken custody of the vessel and are currently inspecting its cargo.
He also claimed the ship was already under U.S. Treasury sanctions due to alleged past violations, though no official evidence or details were immediately provided in the statement.
The incident marks a sharp escalation in tensions at sea, with U.S. forces enforcing restrictions around Iranian ports more aggressively. However, Iranian authorities have not yet issued any official response regarding the seizure or the status of the crew onboard.
