Escalation in the Gulf: the Marines seize the Touska

GULF OF OMAN – A high-tension nighttime operation marked a new point of no return in the crisis between Washington and Tehran. The United States Marines stormed and took control of the Touska, an Iranian-flagged cargo ship, after the vessel attempted to breach the naval blockade imposed by President Donald Trump on April 13.

The Night Assault: Operation Dynamics

According to information released by CENTCOM (U.S. Central Command), the interception occurred after six hours of unheeded warnings. The timeline of the action:

1. The blockade: The missile destroyer USS Spruance (DDG 111) intercepted the Touska as it was heading towards the Iranian port of Bandar Abbas.
2. The fire: Faced with the crew's refusal to stop, the Spruance opened fire with its 5-inch MK 45 gun, aiming directly at the engine room to disable the ship's propulsion.
3. The boarding: With the merchant ship immobilized, the Marines of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit took off from the amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli (LHA 7). The video released by official channels shows the troops descending with the fast-rope technique onto the merchant ship's deck.

Trump's Announcement: "We wanted to stop them and we did"

President Donald Trump confirmed the seizure in a post on Truth Social, calling the operation a total success for the Navy:

“The Iranian crew refused to comply, so our Navy ship stopped them cold by opening a hole in the engine room. They tried to break through our naval blockade, and it didn't end well for them.”

Trump highlighted the impressive size of the Touska — nearly 900 feet long — and added that the United States now has "full custody" of the cargo, which is being verified for potential violations of Treasury sanctions.

Tehran's Reaction: "Act of Piracy"

Iran's response was swift. Media close to the regime called the Marines' action a “act of armed piracy” and a violation of the ceasefire agreed for negotiations.

• Threat of retaliation: Tehran announced the deployment of attack drones against U.S. vessels in the area.
• Diplomacy at a crossroads: Iranian President Pezeshkian sought to keep a window open, declaring the need to "use every diplomatic avenue to reduce tensions," despite the anger of military leaders.

Global Impact and Markets

The incident immediately shook energy markets. The price of oil jumped by +7.3% in the hours following the seizure, reflecting fears that the Strait of Hormuz could become a permanent battlefield.

As the world watches with bated breath the talks scheduled in Pakistan, tension in the Arabian Sea remains at historic highs. The United States has reiterated that the blockade will continue to be enforced with "deliberate and proportional methods" against any non-compliant ship.