US Forces Seized Iranian Cargo Vessel en Route to Bandar Abbas

The U.S. military confirmed that naval forces operating in the Arabian Sea disabled an Iranian-flagged cargo vessel attempting to breach an active maritime blockade, in a coordinated enforcement operation aimed at restricting shipping to Iranian ports.

According to a statement from United States Central Command, the guided-missile destroyer USS Spruance (DDG-111) intercepted the cargo vessel “Touska” as it transited the northern Arabian Sea at approximately 17 knots, en route to Bandar Abbas.

U.S. forces said the vessel was repeatedly warned that it was violating an established naval blockade. Over a six-hour period, the crew allegedly failed to comply with multiple instructions to halt or divert course.

Following what the military described as continued non-compliance, the destroyer ordered the evacuation of the vessel’s engine room before firing several rounds from its 5-inch Mk 45 naval gun, disabling the ship’s propulsion system.

U.S. Marines from the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit subsequently boarded the vessel, which remains under U.S. custody, according to the statement.

CENTCOM emphasized that the operation was conducted in a “deliberate, professional, and proportional manner” aimed at enforcing compliance with the blockade measures.

Since the start of the blockade, U.S. forces have reportedly redirected 25 commercial vessels attempting to approach Iranian ports, instructing them to turn back or reroute.

The enforcement operation comes amid rising tensions in the region and increased naval activity in the Arabian Sea and surrounding waterways, where maritime security has become a growing concern due to geopolitical friction and disruptions to shipping routes.

The U.S. has not disclosed how long the blockade will remain in effect, while Iranian authorities have yet to issue an official response regarding the latest incident.