ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Iran’s Foreign Ministry condemned what it described as “savage” actions by the US military in seizing an Iranian vessel on Sunday evening, labeling the move an act of “piracy” and “terrorism,” less than 48 hours before a ceasefire between Iran, the United States, and Israel is set to expire.
The ministry’s statement, issued Tuesday, came after US President Donald Trump threatened to reignite strikes on Iran by targeting its power plants and bridges if Tehran does not accept the deal proposed by Washington.
The US Navy began enforcing a blockade of Iranian ports on April 13 to curb nearly 90 percent of the country’s oil exports, in a bid to increase economic pressure on Tehran. The move came days after Iran, the United States, and Israel agreed to a two-week ceasefire following six weeks of war. Iran said nearly 3,400 people, including military personnel, were killed during the bombing campaign, which targeted more than 15,000 sites.
At least 23 vessels and tankers have complied with the US blockade and returned to Iranian ports in the Persian Gulf. However, on Sunday evening, when the cargo ship Touska failed to comply, the US Navy used disabling force, and marines from the USS Tripoli rappelled onto the vessel, seizing it after a six-hour standoff.
Iran’s Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, Iran’s joint military command, threatened retaliation against the United States but held off, reportedly to protect Iranian sailors and their families aboard the cargo ship.