Trump says US takes “full custody” of Iranian ship TOUSKA after interception

Washington DC [US], April 20 (ANI): US President Donald Trump on Sunday (local time) claimed that American forces have taken full custody of an Iranian-flagged cargo vessel, TOUSKA, after it attempted to breach a US naval blockade in the Gulf of Oman.
The US President said that a nearly 900-foot-long cargo ship was intercepted by the US Navy Guided Missile Destroyer USS Spruance after it refused to comply with warnings.
"Today, an Iranian-flagged cargo ship named TOUSKA, nearly 900 feet long and weighing almost as much as an aircraft carrier, tried to get past our Naval Blockade, and it did not go well for them. The U.S. Navy Guided Missile Destroyer USS SPRUANCE intercepted the TOUSKA in the Gulf of Oman and gave them fair warning to stop. The Iranian crew refused to listen, so our Navy ship stopped them right in their tracks by blowing a hole in the engineroom," President Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social.
He added that US Marines are currently in control of the vessel, which he claimed is under US Treasury sanctions due to alleged prior illegal activities.
"Right now, U.S. Marines have custody of the vessel. The TOUSKA is under U.S. Treasury Sanctions because of their prior history of illegal activity. We have full custody of the ship, and are seeing what's on board! President DONALD J. TRUMP," the post further read.
Trump's remarks come amid heightened tensions in the Strait of Hormuz, with the US President accusing Iran of violating an ongoing ceasefire agreement and disrupting maritime traffic in the region.
In a separate statement, Trump alleged that Iran had fired upon vessels in the strategic waterway, calling it a "Total Violation of our Ceasefire Agreement."
The US President also announced that American representatives, including Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, will travel to Pakistan to pursue ceasefire negotiations with Iran, even as he warned of severe consequences if Tehran fails to agree to a deal.
"We're giving diplomacy one last chance... if Iran does not sign this deal... it will be my Honor to do what has to be done," Trump said.
The developments come as the two-week ceasefire window is nearing its end on April 22. (ANI)