Trump says US seizes Iranian vessel

US President Donald Trump said on Sunday that US naval forces intercepted and seized an Iranian-flagged cargo vessel in the Gulf of Oman, in a move he described as part of an escalating naval blockade on Iranian ports.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump said a US Navy guided missile destroyer intercepted the vessel, identified as Touska, after issuing warnings to stop. When the crew refused to comply, the warship “blew a hole in the engine room” to disable it.

“Right now, US Marines have custody of the vessel,” Trump said, adding that the ship is under US Treasury sanctions due to what he described as a history of illegal activity.

The seizure came hours after Iran targeted commercial vessels attempting to transit the Strait of Hormuz, signaling a shift toward direct confrontation in the Gulf and the Gulf of Oman.

Analysts said the move appears aimed at tightening the economic and military blockade on Tehran and preventing maritime activity beyond the reach of the US naval fleet.

White House sources told CNBC that the developments have disrupted peace efforts, with Iran rejecting participation in a new round of talks that had been expected to be led by Vice President JD Vance.

In a sharp escalation in rhetoric, Trump warned that if Iran does not accept US terms to end the conflict, American forces could expand operations to target Iranian territory.

“The United States is going to knock out every single power plant, and every single bridge, in Iran,” Trump said, in a direct threat to strike civilian infrastructure.