Trump says US Navy seized Iranian ship after it tried to break blockade

President Donald Trump said Sunday that U.S. forces intercepted and took custody of an Iranian‑flagged cargo ship after it attempted to breach a U.S. naval blockade in the Gulf of Oman, a development that could further heighten tensions as the conflict with Iran continues.

In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump said the vessel—identified as the TOUSKA—ignored warnings from U.S. forces and was ultimately disabled by the U.S. Navy before being boarded by Marines. He said the ship is now under full U.S. control and is being inspected.

“Today, an Iranian‑flagged cargo ship named TOUSKA … tried to get past our Naval Blockade, and it did not go well for them,” Trump wrote. He said the U.S. Navy guided‑missile destroyer USS Spruance intercepted the vessel in the Gulf of Oman and issued warnings that were not heeded.

According to Trump, U.S. forces stopped the ship by disabling its engine room. He said U.S. Marines now have custody of the vessel.

Trump also claimed the TOUSKA was already under U.S. Treasury sanctions due to what he described as a history of “illegal activity,” adding that American forces were determining what the ship was carrying.

The Iranian government has not publicly commented on Trump’s claim, and independent confirmation from U.S. military officials was not immediately available.

The incident comes as shipping through key Middle East waterways remains severely disrupted following weeks of confrontation tied to the Iran conflict. The U.S. has implemented a naval blockade on Iranian ports as part of its pressure campaign, warning commercial vessels against attempts to transit restricted areas without authorization.

Energy markets and global shipping have been on edge amid the standoff, with tankers and cargo ships rerouting or delaying travel through the region. Any escalation involving commercial vessels risks further tightening global supply routes, particularly near the Strait of Hormuz, a critical corridor for oil and gas shipments.

Developing details around the interception, including whether any crew members were detained or what cargo was aboard the ship, were not immediately disclosed.