U.S. forces operating in the Arabian Sea enforced naval blockade measures against an Iranian-flagged cargo vessel attempting to sail toward an Iranian port on April 19.

The guided-missile destroyer USS Spruance intercepted the vessel, identified as M/V Touska, as it moved through the northern Arabian Sea at 17 knots, heading toward Bandar Abbas in Iran.

U.S. forces issued multiple warnings, informing the ship it was violating the blockade. The crew did not comply despite repeated calls over a six-hour period.

After the vessel ignored instructions, American forces ordered the crew to evacuate the engine room. The destroyer then fired several rounds from its 5-inch MK 45 gun, striking the engine room and disabling the ship’s propulsion.

Following the strike, U.S. Marines from the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit boarded the vessel and took control. The ship remains in U.S. custody.

According to U.S. Central Command, the action was carried out in a “deliberate, professional, and proportional manner” to enforce compliance with the blockade.

Officials stated that since the blockade began, U.S. forces have directed 25 commercial vessels to turn around or return toward Iranian ports.

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