The United States has declared that it attacked and seized an Iranian-flagged cargo ship that, according to Washington, had attempted to escape their naval blockade near the Strait of Hormuz on Sunday. The joint military command of Tehran has promised to retaliate, raising questions about the fate of a fragile ceasefire just days before its expiration.
The vessel was the first to be intercepted by the US Navy since it began blocking Iranian ports last week in response to Tehran closing the strategic waterway following the Israeli-American war against the country that broke out on February 28.
Iran called the armed seizure of the cargo ship a violation of the fragile truce and an act of piracy.
On social media, Donald Trump stated that a US Navy guided missile destroyer had warned the Touska, an Iranian-flagged ship, to stop, then “brought it to a full stop by blowing a hole in the engine room.”
The US marines took charge of the ship sanctioned by the US and “saw what was on board.” It is unknown if anyone was injured. The US Central Command, which did not respond to questions, stated that the destroyer issued “repeated warnings over a six-hour period.”
This event caused oil prices to rise sharply once again, worsening a global energy price crisis already in a disastrous state, one of the worst in decades. The Brent barrel, the international benchmark, opened at $95 at the beginning of Monday, an increase from the price ranging between $91 and $92 for most of the ceasefire.
This decision has increased uncertainty about the fate of the war, with US President Donald Trump stating several times recently that it was “near the end,” but now casting doubt on his previous statement about new talks with Iran in Pakistan.
Washington stated that it was deploying a negotiation team, led by Vice President JD Vance, to Islamabad to start a second round of talks with Tehran aimed at bridging gaps and reaching a comprehensive agreement to end hostilities. The delegation is expected to arrive in Pakistan on Monday.
No Iranian official directly commented on Trump’s announcement about the talks. However, Iranian state media, without naming anyone other than anonymous sources, published brief information suggesting that the talks might not take place.
Minutes after the announcement of the ship seizure, Iranian state media reported a telephone conversation between President Massoud Pezeshkian and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif later on Sunday.
The US actions, including intimidation and irrational behavior, have led to increased suspicion that Washington will repeat past patterns and “betray diplomacy,” according to reports quoting Pezeshkian. Previous attempts at talks – last June and earlier this year – were disrupted by Israeli and American attacks.
In another phone call, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told his Pakistani counterpart, Ishaq Dar, that the recent actions, rhetoric, and contradictions from the US indicated “bad intentions and a lack of seriousness in diplomacy,” as reported by Iranian public television.
Pakistan has not confirmed a second round of negotiations, but authorities have started to enhance security in Islamabad. A regional official involved in these efforts mentioned that mediators were finalizing preparations and US security teams were on the ground.
On Saturday, Iran announced that it had received new proposals from the US. The top Iranian negotiator, Mohammed Bagher Qalibaf, parliament president, stated that there would be no retreat in diplomacy but acknowledged a wide gap remained between the two parties.
It was unclear if either party had shifted positions on the issues that derailed the last round of negotiations, including Iran’s nuclear enrichment program, regional proxies, and the Strait of Hormuz.
In his announcement on the negotiations, the US president reiterated his threats against Iranian infrastructure, drawing criticism and warnings of war crimes. If Iran does not accept the agreement proposed by the US, “the United States will disable all power plants and bridges in Iran,” stated the White House occupant.
Iran warned on Monday that it could continue to affect the global economy as ships still cannot pass through the strait, with hundreds waiting at each end to be allowed through.
The security of the strait comes at a cost, and “the choice is clear: either a free oil tanker for all, or significant costs for everyone,” stated Mohammad Reza Aref, Iran’s first vice president, in a message posted on social media, calling for a sustainable cessation of military and economic pressures on Tehran.
Around one-fifth of the world’s oil trade normally passes through the strait, along with essential fertilizer supplies for farmers worldwide, natural gas, and humanitarian aid for regions in dire need, such as Afghanistan and Sudan.
