Tehran [Iran], April 20 (ANI): Iran’s First Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref on Sunday (local time) warned that stability in the Strait of Hormuz comes at a cost, stating that the country cannot be expected to ensure maritime security while facing restrictions on its own oil exports, amid escalating tensions with the United States over the seizure of an Iranian vessel.In a post on X, Aref said, “The security of the Strait of Hormuz is not free. One cannot restrict Iran’s oil exports while expecting free security for others.”
He added that the consequences of continued pressure would be global in scale, particularly for energy markets.”The choice is clear: either a free oil market for all, or the risk of significant costs for everyone,” he said.Aref further stressed that long-term stability in fuel prices would require an end to external pressure on Iran.”Stability in global fuel prices depends on a guaranteed and lasting end to the economic and military pressure against Iran and its allies,” he added.
The remarks come amid escalating tensions in the region following Iran’s confirmation that a US operation targeted an Iranian commercial vessel in the Sea of Oman.Iran’s Hazrat Khatam al-Anbiya military headquarters, in a statement carried by Iranian state media, accused the United States of “violating the ceasefire and committing maritime piracy” and said the ship had been seized.”We warn that the Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran will soon respond to and retaliate against this armed piracy by the US military,” it said.
The statement followed claims by the US Central Command (CENTCOM) that American forces intercepted and disabled the Iranian-flagged vessel TOUSKA in the Arabian Sea after it violated a US naval blockade. “TAMPA, Fla. – U.S. forces operating in the Arabian Sea enforced naval blockade measures against an Iranian-flagged cargo vessel attempting to sail toward an Iranian port, April 19,” CENTCOM said.It added that the guided-missile destroyer USS Spruance fired several rounds into the vessel’s engine room after repeated warnings were ignored.”
Spruance disabled Touska’s propulsion by firing several rounds from the destroyer’s 5-inch MK 45 Gun into Touska’s engine room,” CENTCOM said, adding that US Marines later boarded the vessel, which remains in American custody.US President Donald Trump also claimed that American forces had taken “full custody” of the ship, saying it was intercepted after attempting to breach the blockade in the Gulf of Oman.
The developments come amid rising tensions in the Strait of Hormuz and ongoing diplomatic uncertainty, with Iran rejecting US claims as “false” about renewed negotiations while accusing Washington of escalating pressure through military and economic measures. (ANI)
Iran confirms US seizure of ship TOUSKA, says “will respond and retaliate against this armed piracy”
Iran’s Hazrat Khatam al-Anbiya military headquarters has confirmed the US attack on an Iranian commercial vessel in the Sea of Oman, according to a statement carried by Iranian state media Tasnim news agency.”The aggressive America, by violating the ceasefire and committing maritime piracy, attacked one of Iran’s commercial ships in the waters of the Sea of Oman by firing upon it and disabling its navigation system by deploying several of its terrorist marines on the deck of the mentioned vessel”, the statement said, confirming that the ship had been seized.The statement also warned of a response from Tehran.”We warn that the Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran will soon respond to and retaliate against this armed piracy by the US military,” it added.
The warning comes after the US Central Command (CENTCOM) said American forces had intercepted an Iranian-flagged cargo vessel, TOUSKA, in the Arabian Sea for allegedly violating a US naval blockade.”TAMPA, Fla. – U.S. forces operating in the Arabian Sea enforced naval blockade measures against an Iranian-flagged cargo vessel attempting to sail toward an Iranian port, April 19,” CENTCOM said in a statement on X.It said the guided-missile destroyer USS Spruance intercepted the vessel while it was heading towards Bandar Abbas.”
Guided-missile destroyer USS Spruance (DDG 111) intercepted M/V Touska as it transited the north Arabian Sea at 17 knots enroute to Bandar Abbas, Iran. American forces issued multiple warnings and informed the Iranian-flagged vessel it was in violation of the U.S. blockade,” the statement read.According to CENTCOM, the vessel failed to comply with repeated warnings.”
After Touska’s crew failed to comply with repeated warnings over a six-hour period, Spruance directed the vessel to evacuate its engine room. Spruance disabled Touska’s propulsion by firing several rounds from the destroyer’s 5-inch MK 45 Gun into Touska’s engine room. U.S. Marines from the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit later boarded the non-compliant vessel, which remains in U.S. custody,” it added.The US command said the action was carried out in a “deliberate, professional, and proportional manner” and noted that since the blockade began, 25 commercial vessels had been directed to turn around.
Earlier, US President Donald Trump also claimed that American forces had taken “full custody” of the vessel after it attempted to breach the blockade in the Gulf of Oman.”Today, an Iranian-flagged cargo ship named TOUSKA… tried to get past our Naval Blockade, and it did not go well for them,” Trump said in a post on Truth Social, adding that the ship was intercepted after it refused to heed warnings.”
Right now, U.S. Marines have custody of the vessel… We have full custody of the ship, and are seeing what’s on board!” he added.The incident comes amid heightened tensions in the Strait of Hormuz, with the US accusing Iran of violating a ceasefire and disrupting maritime traffic.Meanwhile, Iran has denied US claims that it had agreed to participate in a second round of talks, with its official IRNA news agency rejecting reports of planned negotiations in Islamabad and calling them part of a “media game”.The developments come as the two-week ceasefire window between the two sides is set to end on April 22.
CENTCOM confirms interception of Iranian vessel TOUSKA, says US forces fired “several rounds” to disable it
Tampa (Florida) [US], April 20 (ANI): The US Central Command (CENTCOM) on Sunday (local time) confirmed that American forces intercepted and disabled an Iranian-flagged cargo vessel, TOUSKA, in the Arabian Sea after it violated a US naval blockade, stating that “several rounds” were fired to halt the ship.”TAMPA, Fla. – U.S. forces operating in the Arabian Sea enforced naval blockade measures against an Iranian-flagged cargo vessel attempting to sail toward an Iranian port, April 19,” CENTCOM said in a statement on X.The command said the guided-missile destroyer USS Spruance intercepted the vessel as it was en route to Bandar Abbas in Iran.”Guided-missile destroyer USS Spruance (DDG 111) intercepted M/V Touska as it transited the north Arabian Sea at 17 knots enroute to Bandar Abbas, Iran. American forces issued multiple warnings and informed the Iranian-flagged vessel it was in violation of the U.S. blockade,” the statement read.
CENTCOM added that the vessel failed to comply despite repeated warnings issued over several hours.”After Touska’s crew failed to comply with repeated warnings over a six-hour period, Spruance directed the vessel to evacuate its engine room. Spruance disabled Touska’s propulsion by firing several rounds from the destroyer’s 5-inch MK 45 Gun into Touska’s engine room. U.S. Marines from the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit later boarded the non-compliant vessel, which remains in U.S. custody,” the statement further read.CENTCOM maintained that the operation was carried out in a measured manner.”
American forces acted in a deliberate, professional, and proportional manner to ensure compliance,” it said, noting that multiple vessels have been turned back since the blockade began.”Since the blockade’s commencement, U.S. forces have directed 25 commercial vessels to turn around or return to an Iranian port,” it added. The development comes after US President Donald Trump said American forces had taken “full custody” of the vessel after it attempted to breach the blockade in the Gulf of Oman. “Today, an Iranian-flagged cargo ship named TOUSKA, nearly 900 feet long and weighing almost as much as an aircraft carrier, tried to get past our Naval Blockade, and it did not go well for them.
The U.S. Navy Guided Missile Destroyer USS SPRUANCE intercepted the TOUSKA in the Gulf of Oman and gave them fair warning to stop. The Iranian crew refused to listen, so our Navy ship stopped them right in their tracks by blowing a hole in the engineroom,” President Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social.He added that US Marines are currently in control of the vessel, which he claimed is under US Treasury sanctions due to alleged prior illegal activities.”Right now, U.S. Marines have custody of the vessel.
The TOUSKA is under U.S. Treasury Sanctions because of their prior history of illegal activity. We have full custody of the ship, and are seeing what’s on board! President DONALD J. TRUMP,” the post further read.Trump’s remarks come amid heightened tensions in the Strait of Hormuz, with the US President accusing Iran of violating an ongoing ceasefire agreement and disrupting maritime traffic in the region.In a separate statement, Trump alleged that Iran had fired upon vessels in the strategic waterway, calling it a “Total Violation of our Ceasefire Agreement.”Meanwhile, Iran has rejected claims that it agreed to take part in a second round of talks with the United States, with Iran’s official IRNA news agency saying no such decision has been made after US President Donald Trump announced a delegation to Pakistan for negotiations.The developments come as the two-week ceasefire window is nearing its end on April 22. (ANI)
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