Iran has accused the US of violating a ceasefire set to expire next Wednesday, following a naval confrontation in the Gulf of Oman. The Iranian military has signaled it will respond after a US destroyer opened fire on an Iranian-flagged commercial vessel on Sunday.
According to Tasnim News Agency, Iranian forces launched drone attacks targeting several US military vessels in response. There has been no confirmation from the US on whether any ships were hit.
The Strait of Hormuz remains closed since the outbreak of the US-Israeli conflict with Iran. The waterway is a critical route for global oil and liquefied natural gas supplies, accounting for roughly one-fifth of worldwide flows.
Donald Trump said a US Navy destroyer engaged an Iranian-flagged cargo ship after it attempted to bypass a US-imposed maritime blockade. He added that US Marines later boarded and secured the vessel.
Iran has warned of a near-term response, condemning the attack and the boarding of the ship.
The United States Navy said its forces in the Arabian Sea enforced the blockade on 19 April against a cargo vessel sailing under the Iranian flag as it attempted to reach an Iranian port.
Tasnim reported the vessel had departed from China and was heading towards Iran at the time of the incident.
The USS Spruance (DDG-111) intercepted the ship, identified as MV Tosca, in the northern Arabian Sea while it was travelling towards Bandar Abbas at a speed of 17 knots.
US forces issued multiple warnings over six hours, stating the vessel was in breach of the blockade. After the crew failed to comply, the destroyer disabled the ship’s propulsion by firing at its engine room.
US Marines from the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit later boarded the vessel, which remains under US control.
The US Navy said 25 commercial vessels have been redirected or turned back since the blockade began, highlighting rising tensions and increasing risks to global shipping and energy markets.
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