Tensions in the Gulf intensified on Monday, with the seizure of an Iranian cargo vessel by US forces emerging as the central flashpoint and casting doubt over already fragile diplomatic efforts to end the war.
Iran said it would not participate in a second round of negotiations that the US had hoped to kick off before the ceasefire expires on Tuesday and vowed to retaliate against the seizing of the ship.
The US military said its forces operating in the Arabian Sea enforced naval blockade measures against an Iranian-flagged cargo vessel attempting to sail toward an Iranian port on April 19.
Guided-missile destroyer USS Spruance (DDG 111) intercepted M/V Touska as it transited the north Arabian Sea at 17 knots enroute to Bandar Abbas, Iran. American forces issued multiple warnings and informed the Iranian-flagged vessel it was in violation of the US blockade.
"After Touska’s crew failed to comply with repeated warnings over a six-hour period, Spruance directed the vessel to evacuate its engine room. Spruance disabled Touska’s propulsion by firing several rounds from the destroyer’s 5-inch MK 45 Gun into Touska’s engine room. US Marines from the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit later boarded the non-compliant vessel, which remains in US custody," a US Central command statement said.
American forces acted in a deliberate, professional, and proportional manner to ensure compliance. Since the blockade’s commencement, U.S. forces have directed 25 commercial vessels to turn around or return to an Iranian port, it added.
President Donald Trump later confirmed the operation on social media, stating that US forces had secured the ship and were examining its contents.
Iranian authorities said the vessel had departed from China and strongly condemned the incident. A military spokesperson, quoted by state media, described the seizure as “armed piracy” and warned that Iran’s armed forces would respond.
The statement signalled the risk of further escalation in already tense Gulf waters.
Iranian media reported that no delegation would be sent for negotiations as long as the US naval blockade remains in place.
US Vice President JD Vance and senior officials are expected to travel to Pakistan for talks.
Markets reacted swiftly, with oil prices climbing and equities showing volatility amid fears that shipping disruptions in the Gulf could worsen. Brent crude rose more than 6% on Monday, while US West Texas Intermediate posted similar gains, recovering from sharp losses at the end of last week.
Brent crude futures jumped $6.11, or 6.76%, to $96.49 a barrel by 2327 GMT and U.S. West Texas Intermediate was at $90.38 a barrel, up $6.53, or 7.79%.
