Strait of Hormuz blockade: Trump says US Navy seized Iranian-flagged cargo ship

President Donald Trump said the US Navy intercepted an Iranian-flagged cargo ship near the Strait of Hormuz on Sunday. Trump said the ship tried to bypass a naval blockade near the Gulf of Oman. Trump described it as the first seizure since the blockade of Iranian ports began last week. Iran did not immediately comment on the reported action.

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Trump wrote on social media that a US Navy guided missile destroyer ordered the ship to stop. Trump said the vessel did not comply with the warning. Trump added that the Navy disabled the ship by targeting the engine room. Trump said US Marines took custody of the vessel, named Touska.

Strait of Hormuz blockade and Touska seizure

Trump said the Navy acted decisively after the ship ignored orders in the Gulf of Oman. Trump wrote that the Navy stopped the ship "right in their tracks\". Trump also wrote the US forces were \"seeing whats on board!\" The reported interception came amid a wider US-Iran standoff tied to the Strait of Hormuz.

The incident raised questions about Trump’s earlier statement on renewed diplomacy. Trump had said US negotiators would travel to Pakistan on Monday for more talks with Iran. The plan had lifted hopes of extending a fragile ceasefire. That ceasefire was set to expire by Wednesday, even as tensions remained high.

US-Iran talks in Pakistan and Strait of Hormuz dispute

Iran has not confirmed it would join a second round of talks in Pakistan. Host Pakistan also did not confirm another meeting. Still, authorities began tightening security in Islamabad. A regional official involved in the effort said mediators were finalising preparations and US advance security teams were on the ground.

The official spoke on condition of anonymity because they werent authorised to discuss preparations with the media. The White House said Vice President J D Vance would lead the US delegation. The White House also named envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. Vance led the first face-to-face talks lasting 21 hours last weekend.

Iran said on Saturday it had received new proposals from the United States. It remained unclear if either side changed positions. Past talks had stumbled over Irans nuclear enrichment programme, its regional proxies and control over the Strait of Hormuz. Those issues continued to appear central to any possible agreement.

In an interview aired on state television late Saturday, parliament speaker Mohammed Bagher Qalibaf addressed the talks. Qalibaf said \"there will be no retreat in the field of diplomacy\". Qalibaf also said a wide gap still separated the two sides. Iran gave no further details on conditions for participation.

Trump warning on Iran infrastructure amid Strait of Hormuz tensions

Trump repeated threats against Iranian infrastructure in the same announcement. The language drew criticism and included warnings about possible war crimes. Trump wrote, \"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,\". The White House offered no additional detail with the post.

With Iran silent on the ship seizure and uncommitted on talks, uncertainty remained across both tracks. The reported action near the Strait of Hormuz added pressure ahead of the ceasefire deadline on Wednesday. Pakistan’s security steps and US team preparations suggested planning continued. However, key disputes and Iran’s participation were still unresolved.

With inputs from PTI