The Iranian-flagged container ship "Touska" has been seized by US forces off the coast of Iran, amid suspicions that it was transporting dual-use materials that could also serve military purposes.
According to the United States Central Command (CENTCOM), the ship failed to heed repeated warnings over a six-hour period, violating a US embargo on Iran. The operation took place near the port of Chabahar in the Gulf of Oman.
The "Touska," a small container ship owned by the Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines, a group sanctioned by the US since 2019, is suspected of transporting items such as metals, pipes and electronic components - materials that can be used in both industry and military programs.
Maritime security sources said the ship had a history of transporting such items and had made a voyage from Asia before being detained. According to maritime tracking data, it had previously been seen near Chinese ports and then stopped in Malaysia to load additional containers before arriving in the Gulf of Oman.
Iranian authorities reacted sharply to the incident. Iran's Foreign Ministry called the seizure "illegal" and a violation of international law, demanding the immediate release of the ship and crew. The Iranian military accused the US of "armed piracy" and stressed that the ship was traveling from China.
