Trump says U.S. Navy seized Iranian-flagged cargo ship in Gulf of Oman

President Donald Trump said the U.S. Navy seized the Iranian-flagged cargo ship TOUSKA in the Gulf of Oman after the vessel allegedly refused to comply with orders to stop.

In a statement posted Saturday, Trump said the guided missile destroyer USS Spruance intercepted the ship, issued what he described as a fair warning, and then stopped the vessel after the Iranian crew failed to heed the demand.

Trump describes forcible interception

“The U.S. Navy Guided Missile Destroyer USS SPRUANCE intercepted the TOUSKA in the Gulf of Oman, and gave them fair warning to stop,” Trump said.

“The Iranian crew refused to listen, so our Navy ship stopped them right in their tracks by blowing a hole in the engineroom.”

Trump added that U.S. Marines now have custody of the vessel and that American authorities are examining its contents.

• The vessel was identified as the Iranian-flagged cargo ship TOUSKA.

• The interception took place in the Gulf of Oman.

• Trump said the ship ignored U.S. warnings to stop.

• He said the vessel was disabled after damage was inflicted on its engine room.

• He said U.S. forces now have full custody of the ship.

Trump also said the TOUSKA was under U.S. Treasury sanctions because of what he described as a prior history of illegal activity.

“We have full custody of the ship, and are seeing what’s on board!” Trump said.

No additional official details were immediately included in the statement regarding the ship’s cargo, the condition of the crew, or whether any injuries were reported during the interception.