BUTOLPOST – Tensions between Iran and the United States have heated up again after the seizure of the Touska merchant ship in the Gulf of Oman. The Iranian government firmly demands the immediate release of the ship and all the crew and families on board.
Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Tuesday (21/4/2026), strongly condemned Washington’s actions which it considered a violation of international law. Tehran even called this action a form of “maritime piracy” that cannot be tolerated.
“The Islamic Republic of Iran warns of the serious consequences of the illegal and criminal actions of the United States and emphasizes the need for the immediate release of the ship, its crew and their families,” said an official statement from the Iranian Foreign Ministry.
Previously, on Sunday (19/4), the United States Central Command stated that it had confiscated the Iranian-flagged ship because it was suspected of trying to penetrate the US blockade in the Gulf of Oman area.
The situation escalated after the spokesman for the Khatam Al-Anbiya military headquarters, Ebrahim Zolfaghari, emphasized that Iran was ready to take firm steps against US troops. However, he emphasized that the safety of the ship’s crew remains the main priority before further action is taken.
This tension occurs amidst fragile relations between the two countries. Previously, military attacks launched by the US and Israel at the end of February targeted a number of locations in Iran, including Tehran, which caused damage and casualties.
Even though they had agreed to a ceasefire on April 7, further negotiation efforts held in Islamabad on April 11 ended without success. The situation worsened after the US imposed a blockade on Iranian ports.
Until now, international mediators are still trying to reopen diplomatic channels to prevent wider conflict in the region.***
