Iran has vowed to retaliate against the United States after it fired upon and seized a cargo vessel in the Strait of Hormuz.
“Trump, by imposing a blockade and violating the ceasefire, seeks, in his view, to turn the negotiating table into a table of surrender or to justify renewed warmongering,” said Iran’s parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf.
Ghalibaf led the Iranian delegation in the failed talks with Vice President J.D. Vance in Islamabad, Pakistan, on April 11th.
Vance Fails In Iran: No Peace Deal
According to state media, as reported by NBC News, the ministry called the Sunday night cargo vessel seizure of the Touska commercial vessel an “illegal and brutal act” that “constitutes piracy and a terrorist action.” It said the seizure near Iran’s coast in the Sea of Oman was “another clear breach” of the two-week U.S.-Iran ceasefire, which expires Wednesday.
US Seizes An Iranian-Flagged Cargo Ship
The U.S. claimed that the Touska attempted to breach its blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, so it fired upon it and seized it.
The Iranian foreign ministry said it had brought the matter to the United Nations’ attention and that Iran would do everything in its power to defend its national interests and security. “Clearly, full responsibility for any further escalation in the region lies with America,” it said.
Hegseth: Hormuz Blockade Stays “As Long As It Takes” – Ships Now Fair Game For Search & Seizure
U.S. Central Command posted photos on X of the Iranian-flagged cargo ship that was seized on Sunday.
“U.S. forces patrol the Arabian Sea near M/V Touska, April 20, as the Iranian-flagged vessel’s container cargo is searched after U.S. Marines boarded and seized the ship when it attempted to violate the U.S. naval blockade,” CENTCOM said in the post on X.
United States ruler Donald Trump also threatened Iran, saying that they should make a deal. “Well, they’re going to negotiate. And if they don’t, they’re going to see problems like they’ve never seen before,” Trump said in an interview.