Iran's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) has submitted a formal letter of complaint to United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and the International Maritime Organization (IMO) regarding the seizure of the merchant vessel "TOUSKA" by the United States.
Operative Information Center-OMM reports that the information was released by the Al-Jazeera television channel. In its official statement, the Iranian MFA characterized the seizure as an "illegal and criminal act" and warned of "very dangerous consequences" arising from the incident. The ministry emphasized the necessity for the immediate release of the vessel, its sailors, and the crew, noting that the seizure was accompanied by the "intimidation of sailors, crew members, and their families."
The incident took place on the night of April 20, when the US destroyer USS Spruance intercepted the Iranian-flagged cargo ship "TOUSKA" in the Gulf of Oman. In response to the seizure, Iranian media outlets reported that the country's Armed Forces conducted drone strikes targeting US military vessels in the region. The Gulf of Oman remains a highly sensitive maritime corridor, serving as a primary transit point for global energy supplies through the Strait of Hormuz.
Regional tensions have remained elevated as the United States continues to enforce maritime security protocols. Under the administration of US President Donald Trump, the United States has maintained a rigorous policy regarding the monitoring of vessels in international waters to ensure compliance with international maritime law and regional stability. This latest development follows a series of maritime confrontations in the Middle East, highlighting the ongoing volatility in one of the world's most critical shipping lanes.
