Iran Condemns US Seizure of Cargo Ship Touska, Labels It Maritime Piracy

Washington (ANTARA) - Iran’s Foreign Ministry on Tuesday condemned the latest seizure by United States forces of a cargo ship suspected of attempting to evade the blockade on Iranian ports.

“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran strongly condemns the unlawful and violent action carried out by the US ‘terrorist army’ in attacking the Iranian commercial vessel Touska, which occurred on Sunday (19/4),” the ministry stated in a statement.

Describing the incident as “a form of maritime piracy and terrorism,” the statement said the action violates international law as well as the two-week ceasefire between the US and Iran that began on 8 April.

Iran also demanded the release of the Iranian-flagged vessel, along with its crew and their families.

“Undoubtedly, the Islamic Republic of Iran will use all its capacities to defend its national interests and security, and to uphold the rights and dignity of the Iranian people,” it added, while asserting that responsibility for “further escalation” lies with the US.

Meanwhile, Iran’s Head of Judiciary, Gholam-Hossein Mohseni Ejei, stated that the US action constitutes a “war crime,” referring to the ongoing blockade of Iranian ports.

“Any action against an Iranian vessel will certainly receive a response,” state media IRIB reported, quoting Ejei’s statement, adding that the resumption of US-Israeli attacks on Iran “is by no means a small matter.”

For its part, the US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced on Sunday (19/4) that US naval forces seized the Iranian-flagged cargo ship Touska in the Gulf of Oman after the vessel reportedly refused to comply with blockade directives.

CENTCOM also stated on Monday (20/4) that US forces have directed 27 commercial ships to turn back or return to Iranian ports since the naval blockade of Iranian ports began on 13 April.

This development comes amid rising tensions in the region since the US and Israel launched joint strikes against Iran on 28 February. In response, Tehran carried out retaliatory strikes against Israel and other regional countries hosting US assets.

Pakistan hosted US-Iran talks on 11-12 April after mediating a two-week ceasefire that took effect on 8 April and is scheduled to end on Wednesday.

Efforts to hold the next round of negotiations are ongoing, although uncertainty remains.