United States intercepts Iranian vessel Touska in the Arabian Sea
On April 19, the U.S. Navy destroyer USS Spruance intercepted the Iranian-flagged container ship M/V Touska in the North Arabian Sea as it traveled towards Bandar Abbas. The U.S. Central Command stated the vessel violated a naval blockade after ignoring repeated warnings for six hours. Following the refusal to comply, the USS Spruance fired rounds from its MK 45 naval gun into the engine room, disabling the ship's propulsion. U.S. Marines subsequently boarded and seized the vessel, which was reportedly carrying goods suspected of having dual military-industrial use. Iran condemned the operation as an act of armed robbery and piracy, claiming the U.S. violated a ceasefire. Iranian Revolutionary Guard forces reportedly launched drone strikes against U.S. military ships in the region in retaliation, though no damage was reported. Diplomatic efforts remain tense, with Tehran indicating it does not plan to participate in upcoming scheduled talks in Islamabad.