Strait of Hormuz: Trump says US Navy seized Iranian-flagged cargo ship amid blockade
President Donald Trump said the US Navy seized an Iranian-flagged cargo ship near the Strait of Hormuz after it allegedly ignored warnings in the Gulf of Oman. He said US Marines took custody of the vessel, Touska, with no immediate Iranian comment. The incident casts doubt on planned US-Iran talks and a fragile ceasefire timeline.
President Donald Trump said the US Navy seized an Iranian-flagged cargo ship near the Strait of Hormuz. Trump said the interception happened on Sunday in the Gulf of Oman. Trump said the ship ignored warnings from a guided missile destroyer. Trump said US Marines took custody of the vessel, Touska, and searched it. Iran did not comment immediately.

The seizure added strain to efforts to restart talks with Iran in Pakistan. Trump had said US negotiators would travel on Monday for another round. The aim was to extend a fragile ceasefire due to expire by Wednesday. Iran has not confirmed it would take part. Washington and Tehran remained locked in a dispute over Hormuz access.
Strait of Hormuz blockade raises global supply fears
Ships still could not cross the Strait of Hormuz amid Iranian threats and a US blockade. The blockade covered ships going to and from Iranian ports. Hundreds of vessels waited at both ends for approval. The disruption threatened a severe energy shock. About one-fifth of global oil trade usually moves through the strait, alongside fertiliser, gas, and aid cargo.
Iranian officials said on Sunday that passage would not resume while the blockade stayed. "It is impossible for others to pass through the Strait of Hormuz while we cannot,\" Qalibaf said. Iran earlier said the strait would reopen after a 10-day truce took hold on Friday. Iran later said restrictions would continue after Trump said the blockade would stay.
Trump also accused Iran of breaking the ceasefire by firing at ships using the strait. Iran called the US blockade a violation. Foreign ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei on Sunday described it as \"an act of aggression.\" After a brief rise in transit attempts on Saturday, Iran fired on two Indian-flagged merchant ships. The ships turned back, and India summoned Iran’s ambassador.
Pakistan talks on Strait of Hormuz dispute remain uncertain
Iran’s chief negotiator and parliament speaker Mohammed Bagher Qalibaf spoke on state television late Saturday. Qalibaf said \"there will be no retreat in the field of diplomacy,\" while noting major gaps. Pakistan also did not confirm a second round of talks. Still, authorities tightened security in Islamabad. A regional official said mediators were finalising plans and US security teams were present.
The White House said Vice President J D Vance would lead the US delegation to Pakistan. Envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner would join the team. Vance led the first face-to-face talks, which lasted 21 hours last weekend. Iran said on Saturday that it received new US proposals. It remained unclear if positions shifted on enrichment, proxies, or control of Hormuz.
Donald Trump warning and Strait of Hormuz standoff intensify
Trump repeated threats against Iranian infrastructure in a social media post. \"If Iran does not agree to the US-proposed deal, the United States is going to knock out every single Power Plant, and every single Bridge, in Iran,\" he wrote. The comments drew criticism and warnings about war crimes. The seizure of Touska also raised questions about Trump’s earlier talks announcement.
Iran has treated control of the strait as a key tool since the war began. Iran imposed its closure after the US and Israel launched the Iran war on February 28. For the US, the blockade aimed to squeeze Iran’s economy by limiting cash flow. The war, now in its eighth week, killed at least 3,000 in Iran and more than 2,290 in Lebanon.
The conflict also killed 23 people in Israel and more than a dozen in Gulf Arab states. Fifteen Israeli soldiers in Lebanon and 13 US service members in the region have been killed. Iran’s Supreme National Security Council said supplies to US bases often pass through the strait. The council said Iran wanted oversight until the war ends, including routes, fees, and transit certificates.
Iran warning as Strait of Hormuz diplomacy continues
Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said Pakistan was trying to narrow US-Iran differences. Ishaq Dar spoke by phone with Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Sunday. Pakistan later said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif spoke for 45 minutes with Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian. Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Saeed Khatibzadeh warned the blockade could damage the ceasefire package.
Khatibzadeh said Iran would not give its enriched uranium stock to the United States. Khatibzadeh said the amount was 970 pounds 440 kilograms. Khatibzadeh called the idea \"a non-starter.\" Khatibzadeh did not discuss other options for the material. Khatibzadeh added, \"we are ready to address any concerns.\"
With inputs from PTI


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