U.S. seizes Iranian container ship, escalating tensions ahead of planned talks
U.S. military forces seized an Iranian container ship in the Gulf early Monday, sharply escalating tensions just hours before Washington had been expected to dispatch negotiators to Pakistan for talks aimed at ending the conflict, Qazinform News Agency correspondent reports.
The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) and President Donald Trump said the vessel, identified as the Touska, was struck after it refused orders to alter its course and withdraw from a planned transit through the Strait of Hormuz. The United States has maintained a naval blockade in the area since last Monday.
Iran condemned the incident as an act of “piracy” and warned of possible retaliation. Later on Monday, just hours after the ship’s seizure, Iranian officials said they would not send negotiators to planned talks with the United States in Islamabad.
The incident marked the first known strike on a non-military Iranian vessel by U.S. forces during the current conflict, as well as the first capture of an Iranian cargo ship since the start of Washington’s week-long naval blockade.
Earlier, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf said the country was prepared to confront U.S. forces on the ground, accusing Washington of combining diplomatic outreach with military planning. He stated that Iran would not accept conditions it viewed as surrender and warned of consequences for any escalation.
His remarks followed reports that U.S. defense officials were considering options for limited ground operations, though no final decision had been announced. The White House said military planning was part of standard procedure and did not indicate that troops would be deployed.
At the same time, the United States had increased its military presence in the Middle East. U.S. Central Command confirmed the arrival of additional forces and equipment, including aircraft and amphibious assets. The USS Tripoli (LHA-7) amphibious assault ship also reached the region as part of a deployment of about 3,500 personnel.
On Feb. 28, Israel and the United States launched joint attacks on Tehran and several other Iranian cities, killing Iran's then Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, along with senior military commanders and civilians. Iran responded by launching waves of missile and drone strikes targeting Israel and U.S. bases and assets in the Middle East, and exercising tight control over the Strait of Hormuz.