US Navy fires on and seizes Iranian ship, threatening ceasefire ahead of peace talks

The U.S. Navy fired upon and seized an Iranian-flagged cargo ship over the weekend, marking the first military interception since the United States imposed a blockade on Iranian ports. The incident has dramatically escalated tensions between the two nations just days before a crucial round of peace talks is scheduled to begin in Islamabad, Pakistan, threatening to unravel a fragile two-week ceasefire set to expire within days.

The Iranian vessel, named Touska and nearly 900 feet long, was intercepted in the Gulf of Oman on Sunday as it attempted to reach the Iranian port of Bandar Abbas. According to U.S. Central Command, the guided-missile destroyer USS Spruance issued repeated warnings to the cargo ship over a six-hour period, ordering it to turn back. When the crew failed to comply, the destroyer fired several rounds from its 5-inch gun directly into the ship's engine room, disabling its propulsion system. U.S. Marines from the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit subsequently boarded the non-compliant vessel and took it into custody. The Trump administration stated that the vessel operates under U.S. Treasury sanctions due to its prior history of illegal activity.

Iran has condemned the seizure as an act of piracy and a violation of the ceasefire agreement. The Iranian military's joint command stated that the country would "soon respond and retaliate against this armed piracy by the U.S. military." Iran's Revolutionary Guard characterized the incident as America firing on a merchant vessel in international waters and landing "terrorist marines" on deck. The seizure represents a significant escalation, as U.S. forces have previously directed 25 commercial vessels to turn around since the blockade began, but this marks the first time the military has opened fire and physically seized a ship.

The timing of the seizure has cast serious doubt over upcoming peace negotiations. Vice President JD Vance is expected to lead a U.S. delegation to Islamabad for a second round of talks with Iranian representatives, with discussions potentially beginning as soon as Tuesday or Wednesday. However, Iran has indicated reluctance to participate, stating that no negotiations will occur as long as the U.S. naval blockade remains in place. The Iranian military has also reasserted control over the Strait of Hormuz, closing it once again on Saturday after briefly opening talks—a move reflecting the growing influence of hardliners within Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps. Iranian state media reports that the country has suffered nearly 3,500 military casualties since Operation Epic Fury began.

The blockade itself has become a central sticking point in negotiations. The Trump administration has maintained that Iran's control of the Strait of Hormuz and its alleged refusal to abandon its nuclear program are key obstacles to reaching a deal. President Trump has characterized the upcoming talks as Iran's "last chance" and has threatened to strike Iranian civilian infrastructure if the country does not accept American terms. The two-week ceasefire is set to expire early next week, and the ship seizure has raised questions about whether either side remains committed to de-escalation or if full-scale military operations may resume.