Above photo: NurPhoto/Getty Images.
Donald Trump boasted on social media that US forces ‘blew a hole’ into the commercial ship and seized it
Iran’s military vowed in a statement on 20 April that it would retaliate for the US attack targeting one of its commercial vessels in the Sea of Oman, while slamming Washington’s “act of piracy.”
“The aggressive US, by violating the ceasefire and engaging in maritime banditry, attacked an Iranian commercial vessel in the waters of the Oman Sea by opening fire at it and disabling its navigation system, and by deploying a number of its armed personnel onto the deck of the vessel, carried out an act of aggression against it,” the Khatam al-Anbiya Headquarters said.
“We warn that the armed forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran will soon respond to and retaliate for this armed act of piracy by the US army,” the statement added.
The Iranian army later clarified that “due to the presence of a number of family members of the [Iranian] ship’s crew on board, Iran’s operational action was delayed in order to protect their lives and security, which were in constant danger,” according to Tasnim News Agency, adding that “Once the safety of the families and crew members is fully ensured, Iran’s Armed Forces will carry out the necessary action against the terrorist US military.”
US President Donald Trump took to his Truth Social platform on Sunday night, announcing that a US Navy destroyer intercepted an Iranian cargo ship.
“Today, an Iranian-flagged cargo ship named TOUSKA, nearly 900 feet long and weighing almost as much as an aircraft carrier, tried to get past our naval blockade, and it did not go well for them. The US Navy Guided Missile Destroyer USS SPRUANCE intercepted the TOUSKA in the Gulf of Oman, and gave them fair warning to stop,” the president wrote.
“The Iranian crew refused to listen, so our navy ship stopped them right in their tracks by blowing a hole in the engine room. Right now, US Marines have custody of the vessel. The TOUSKA is under US Treasury Sanctions because of their prior history of illegal activity. We have full custody of the ship, and are seeing what’s on board!” he added.
After having reopened it following the Lebanon truce, Iran reclosed the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday, citing Trump’s vow to continue blockading Iranian ports despite a ceasefire.
The US attack on Iran’s vessel came as Trump renewed his threats to attack Iranian power stations and bridges if the Islamic Republic does not agree to Washington’s terms for an agreement.
“They’ll come down fast, they’ll come down easy and, if they don’t take the DEAL, it will be my Honor to do what has to be done, which should have been done to Iran, by other Presidents, for the last 47 years. IT’S TIME FOR THE IRAN KILLING MACHINE TO END!” Trump said.
Pakistani-mediated US–Iran negotiations are expected to take place in Islamabad this week, although Iranian media reported on Sunday that Tehran has not confirmed participation.
Semi-official Tasnim News Agency reported that “The Iranian negotiating team has underscored that as long as US President Donald Trump’s declaration regarding a naval blockade of Iran remains in place, there will be no negotiations.”
Iran says ‘no plans’ to attend ceasefire talks citing lack of ‘seriousness’ from US
Pakistan reportedly warned the US president that his naval blockade on Iranian ports poses a direct threat to diplomatic efforts
The Iranian Foreign Ministry announced on 20 April that Tehran has not decided whether to participate in Pakistani-mediated truce talks with the US this week, amid intensifying diplomatic efforts by Islamabad to ensure the talks do not fall apart.
“We have not made a decision yet about the next round of negotiations,” Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei said on Monday, adding: “We have no plans for the next round.”
“The US, which is claiming diplomacy, is carrying out behaviors that in no way indicate seriousness in pursuing a diplomatic process,” Baghaei went on to say.
“From the very beginning of the ceasefire, we faced the US reneging and nagging. First, they said that Lebanon was not part of the ceasefire, while Pakistan had made it clear. After an understanding was reached, we were faced with naval actions in the Strait of Hormuz. A few hours ago, they attacked a ship,” Baghaei added, referring to the recent US Navy attack on a commercial Iranian vessel.
The spokesman stated that the visit of US officials is their own matter and expressed skepticism about Washington’s seriousness. He also pledged military responses to any “adventure’ by Washington and Tel Aviv.
Monday’s statement coincided with the arrival of US officials to the Pakistani capital, Islamabad, where a new round of truce talks is expected soon.
US Vice President JD Vance, Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, and special envoy Steve Witkoff arrived in Pakistan’s capital. Over the weekend, reports indicated that Vance would not attend the talks citing security concerns.
The Iranian team has not yet made its way to Pakistan.
According to officials cited by AP, Islamabad has been intensifying diplomatic contacts with Washington and Tehran and is trying to ensure that talks take place as soon as Tuesday.
“We have made comprehensive security arrangements for our distinguished guests,” Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said in a statement.
A Pakistani security source told Reuters that Trump informed Field Marshal Asim Munir he would “consider Islamabad’s advice” on an ongoing US blockade, which is hindering ceasefire talks with Iran.
Over the weekend, the US attacked one of Iran’s commercial vessels in the Sea of Oman. Iran’s military vowed to retaliate.
Iran announced the closure of the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday, citing Trump’s vow to continue blockading Iranian ports despite a ceasefire.
The following day, Trump renewed his threat to attack Iranian power stations and bridges if the Islamic Republic does not agree to Washington’s terms for an agreement.
“We’re offering a very fair and reasonable DEAL, and I hope they take it because, if they don’t, the United States is going to knock out every single Power Plant, and every single Bridge, in Iran. NO MORE MR. NICE GUY!” the president wrote on his Truth Social platform.
