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Iran Threatens Swift Response After US Destroyer Targets Cargo Ship
Iran accuses the US of “armed piracy” and promises retaliation following a cargo ship incident in the Gulf of Oman.
Iran has warned of a swift retaliation after a US naval destroyer fired on an Iranian cargo vessel in the Gulf of Oman, an incident that has further strained already fragile ceasefire conditions.
The Iranian military, through its central command Khatam Al-Anbiya, described the US action as “armed piracy” and accused Washington of violating the ceasefire in effect since April 8.
“We warn that the armed forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran will soon respond and retaliate against this armed piracy and the US military,” a spokesperson said, as quoted by ISNA.
US President Donald Trump confirmed the encounter, stating that the Iranian-flagged ship, Touska, was intercepted after attempting to bypass a US naval blockade.
According to Trump, the USS Spruance forced the vessel to stop by firing at it. “It did not go well for them,” he said, adding that the ship’s engine room was hit and US Marines have since taken control of the vessel.
The development comes as tensions remain high in the Strait of Hormuz, a key global shipping corridor for oil and gas, which has been largely shut since the conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran escalated seven weeks ago.
Iran had briefly reopened the strait on Friday following a ceasefire in Lebanon but closed it again the next day in response to the continued blockade by US forces.
Trump had earlier accused Iran of breaching the ceasefire, which is due to expire on Wednesday, by carrying out attacks in the strategic waterway.
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