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American naval forces have fired on and seized an Iranian-flagged cargo ship that attempted to breach a maritime blockade, according to President Donald Trump, dramatically escalating tensions just hours before planned negotiations in Islamabad.
The vessel, identified as the M/V Touska, was intercepted by the guided-missile destroyer USS Spruance in waters near the Strait of Hormuz after what US officials described as repeated non-compliance with warnings.
Footage released by Central Command shows sailors issuing instructions over several hours, urging the crew to halt and vacate the engine room or face disabling fire.
When the ship failed to respond, rounds from a deck gun struck the engine compartment, forcing it to stop before US Marines boarded and took control.
Trump said the vessel had been given "fair warning" but ignored instructions, prompting what he described as decisive action to enforce the blockade imposed on Iranian shipping routes.
Iran swiftly condemned the operation, labeling it an act of armed piracy and warning of retaliation, while state-linked media reported drone activity targeting US vessels, though no confirmed damage has emerged.
The confrontation comes amid a fragile ceasefire set to expire within days and ongoing disputes over control of key waterways critical to global oil supplies.
Vice-President JD Vance is expected to lead a US delegation to Pakistan, alongside senior advisers, in an effort to revive stalled diplomacy with Tehran.
However, Iranian officials have signaled reluctance to participate while the blockade remains in place, casting doubt over whether the talks will proceed as scheduled.
Markets reacted quickly, with oil prices rising amid fears that escalating hostilities around the strategic shipping corridor could disrupt a significant share of the world's energy flows.
With both sides trading threats and neither backing down, the latest incident underscores how quickly the situation could spiral, even as diplomatic channels remain technically open.
Any misstep now could tip the region closer to a broader conflict, analysts warn, especially if military actions continue to outpace efforts to secure even a temporary agreement between the adversaries today.
