Iran has claimed it launched drone attacks targeting US military vessels in the Sea of Oman, hours.
After American forces fired on and seized an Iranian commercial ship near the Strait of Hormuz — a development that marks a sharp escalation between the two sides and puts a fragile ceasefire at risk. Iran’s semi-official Tasnim news agency said the strikes were carried out in direct retaliation for the US action, though it did not specify the extent of the attack or whether any American assets were damaged.
US seizes Iranian vessel
The United States said its forces intercepted and took control of a cargo ship identified as Touska as it sailed towards Bandar Abbas. President Donald Trump said the vessel attempted to breach a US-imposed naval blockade near the Strait of Hormuz and ignored repeated warnings.
According to Trump, US Marines boarded the ship and secured it, adding that the vessel had been under US Treasury sanctions over alleged illegal activity. The United States Central Command later confirmed the operation and released footage of the interception.
Iran vows retaliation
Iran’s Khatam al-Anbiya command condemned the move as a ceasefire violation, calling it “armed piracy” and accusing US forces of firing on the vessel and disabling it before boarding.
Tehran initially denied that the ship had been seized, claiming its navy had forced US forces to retreat, but later acknowledged the interception after Washington released evidence. Iranian officials said the vessel had been travelling from China.
Tensions rise, talks uncertain
The incident has cast fresh doubt over diplomatic efforts between the two countries. Iran indicated it may pull out of a proposed second round of talks, citing the continued blockade and what it described as shifting US positions.
Washington, meanwhile, warned of potential strikes on Iranian infrastructure if negotiations fail. Tehran responded by cautioning that any such move would be met with attacks on critical facilities in Gulf nations hosting US bases, raising the risk of a wider regional confrontation.
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