U.S. Navy Seizes Iranian Cargo Ship in Gulf of Oman After Ignoring Warnings

Gate News message, April 20 — The U.S. Navy seized an Iranian cargo vessel, the Tusca, in the Gulf of Oman on April 19 after it refused to comply with orders to stop, according to President Donald Trump. The guided-missile destroyer USS Spruance initially issued warnings to the vessel, which was attempting to breach the U.S. maritime blockade on Iran, but the Iranian crew did not respond.

After six hours of non-compliance, the U.S. Central Command ordered the vessel’s engine room to be evacuated before firing multiple rounds from a 5-inch (127mm) MK45 naval gun to disable the ship’s propulsion system. The U.S. 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit subsequently boarded the Tusca, which was placed under detention. The vessel was previously listed on the U.S. Treasury’s sanctions list for illegal activities.

Iran’s unified military command, Hatam Al-Anbiya Central Military Base, condemned the operation as a violation of ceasefire agreements and pledged military retaliation. The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed its forces struck a U.S. military vessel with unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), though the U.S. military has not yet responded to the claim. Iran’s central military command warned that military responses would continue if American “piracy and attacks” persist.