U.S. Fires on Iranian Cargo Ship in Arabian Sea

Key Points:

• A U.S. Navy destroyer in the Arabian Sea disabled the Iranian-flagged cargo ship Touska by firing on its engine room after repeated warnings over six hours, marking the first enforcement action against a ship attempting to evade the U.S.-imposed blockade on Iranian ports.
• Marines from the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit boarded and seized the vessel, which was heading toward Bandar Abbas, Iran, and all cargo is now in U.S. custody as the ship undergoes a search.
• The U.S. Navy used the Spruance destroyer's Mk 45 gun to disable the ship's propulsion system after the Iranian captain ignored multiple evacuation orders for the engine room.
• U.S. Central Command emphasized that the action was deliberate, professional, and proportional, with officials considering options for the disabled ship, including towing it to Oman.
• U.S. intelligence has been monitoring several vessels of interest related to the blockade, with military leaders stating a commitment to actively pursue any Iranian-flagged vessels or those supporting Iran globally.