Washington DC (US), April 20, 2026, BNN Web Staff: Amid escalating tensions in the Gulf region, Donald Trump on Sunday claimed that US forces have taken \u201cfull custody\u201d of an Iranian-flagged cargo vessel, TOUSKA, following its interception in the Gulf of Oman.<\/p>\n
According to Trump, the nearly 900-foot-long ship was stopped by the US Navy destroyer USS Spruance after it allegedly attempted to breach an American naval blockade and ignored repeated warnings.<\/p>\n
In a statement posted on social media, Trump asserted that US forces disabled the vessel after its crew refused to comply.<\/p>\n
He further claimed that US Marines have since boarded the ship and taken control, with authorities now examining its cargo.<\/p>\n
The vessel, Trump said, is already under US Treasury sanctions due to alleged past involvement in illegal activities, though no independent confirmation of the ship\u2019s contents or actions has been released.<\/p>\n
The development comes against the backdrop of heightened friction between Washington and Tehran, particularly around the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, a key global oil transit route.<\/p>\n
Trump also accused Iran of violating an ongoing ceasefire agreement, alleging that Iranian forces had targeted vessels operating in the region.<\/p>\n
He described the situation as a \u201cserious breach\u201d and warned of consequences if tensions continue to escalate.<\/p>\n
In a parallel diplomatic push, Trump announced that US representatives, including Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, are expected to travel to Pakistan to explore the possibility of reviving ceasefire negotiations with Iran.<\/p>\n
With the current ceasefire window set to expire on April 22, the situation remains fluid, with both military posturing and diplomatic efforts unfolding simultaneously.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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