U.S. Navy Seizes Iranian-Flagged Cargo Ship Attempting to Breach Strait of Hormuz Blockade Amid Stalled Iran Talks

By Jamie McIntyre

*Washington Examiner National Security Senior Writer*

*Published: 2026-04-20T11:42:31+00:00*

The ongoing U.S.-Iran conflict, which began on February 28, 2026, with U.S. and Israeli airstrikes targeting Iranian nuclear facilities, military sites, missile stockpiles, and air defenses, has entered a tense phase as peace negotiations face uncertainty. President Donald Trump recently described talks with Iran as "working out very well," while noting that Iran had "got a little cute" by temporarily opening and closing the Strait of Hormuz. Trump also expressed frustration over Iran's actions, including firing on foreign-flagged vessels in the strait.

In a Truth Social post on Sunday morning, Trump stated: "Iran decided to fire bullets yesterday in the Strait of Hormuz. That wasn’t nice, was it?" He added that Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) had "always [wanted] to be ‘the tough guy!’" Trump further noted: "Iran recently announced that they were closing the Strait, which is strange, because our BLOCKADE has already closed it."

Trump has warned of potential escalation if negotiations fail. In the same post, he wrote: "We’re offering a very fair and reasonable DEAL, and I hope they take it because, if they don’t, the United States is going to knock out every single Power Plant, and every single Bridge, in Iran."

The Trump administration has sent Vice President JD Vance, envoy Steve Witkoff, and senior adviser Jared Kushner to Islamabad for resumed talks with Iranian representatives. As of early Monday, it remained unclear whether the U.S. delegation had departed or if Iranian officials would attend.

U.S. Forces Intercept Iranian Vessel in Six-Hour Gulf Confrontation

A confrontation unfolded in the Gulf of Oman on Sunday when the Iranian-flagged motor vessel Touska attempted to pass through the U.S. naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz toward the Iranian port of Bandar Abbas.

U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) released video footage showing the guided-missile destroyer USS Spruance issuing multiple radio warnings to the Touska to turn back. A final warning stated: "Motor Vessel Touska, Motor Vessel Touska, Vacate your engine room. Vacate your engine room. We are prepared to subject you to disabling fire."

According to Trump, in a subsequent Truth Social post, the Iranian crew did not comply, prompting U.S. action: "The Iranian crew refused to listen, so our Navy ship stopped them right in their tracks by blowing a hole in the engine room."

CENTCOM described the USS Spruance's response as a "deliberate, professional, and proportional" measure using its 5-inch MK 45 gun to disable the vessel and ensure compliance.

A second CENTCOM video depicted U.S. Marines from the amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli boarding the disabled Touska via Sea Hawk helicopters to take control of the ship.

Trump noted that the Touska is subject to U.S. Treasury sanctions due to "prior history of illegal activity." He added: "We have full custody of the ship, and are seeing what’s on board!"

CENTCOM reported that, since the blockade began, U.S. forces have directed 25 commercial vessels to turn around or return to Iranian ports.

Iranian officials described the incident differently. Ebrahim Zolfaghari, a military spokesman for Iran’s Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, called the seizure "a recent act of piracy by U.S. forces" and vowed a retaliatory strike.

Iranian Response and Economic Fallout

World oil prices rose sharply following the ship seizure, with U.S. stock futures declining. In response to Trump's threats against Iranian infrastructure, Zolfaghari stated: "Any attack on our infrastructure will trigger a crushing retaliation. Our forces are fully prepared."

Esmaeil Baqaei, spokesman for Iran’s Foreign Ministry, indicated no immediate plans for further negotiations. He said: "If the U.S. sends a team to Islamabad, that is a matter that concerns them." Baqaei emphasized: "The Islamic Republic of Iran does not accept any deadlines or ultimatums to safeguard its national interests. We have clearly stated our red lines from the beginning, and we will not change our principled positions."

Baqaei also refuted Trump's assertion that Iran had agreed to transfer its enriched uranium stockpile—referred to by Trump as "nuclear dust," estimated at 900 to 1,000 pounds of highly enriched uranium. Baqaei said: "In none of the stages of current or previous negotiations was the issue of transferring Iran’s enriched uranium stockpiles to the U.S. or any other country raised, and fundamentally this option is not on the agenda of the Islamic Republic of Iran."

At a Friday night event in Arizona, Trump maintained that "most of the points are already negotiated and agreed to," adding: "You’ll be very happy. The USA will get all the nuclear dust." He remarked: "We’re going to get the dust, right, Iran? We were going to take it anyway, but taking it that way is slightly more dangerous."

Context on recent Iranian actions in the Strait of Hormuz includes an incident on April 18, 2026, when Iranian forces fired on vessels flagged to India, Liberia, the Marshall Islands, and the United Kingdom. No confirmed reports indicate targeting of a French-flagged ship, though Trump referenced shots aimed at French and British vessels.

Reports of Internal U.S. Deliberations

The Wall Street Journal reported on Trump's behind-the-scenes concerns amid the conflict, citing sources describing him as alternating between aggressive and conciliatory stances while weighing risks. The article detailed Trump's reaction to the downing of a U.S. F-15, including hours of complaints to aides about limited European support and references to the 1979 Iranian hostage crisis under President Jimmy Carter.

Trump had previously commented in March: "If you look at what happened with Jimmy Carter … with the helicopters and the hostages, it cost them the election. What a mess."

According to the Journal, aides restricted Trump's access to the command center during a pilot rescue operation due to concerns over his impatience, providing updates instead. The report also noted Trump's veto of a plan to seize Iran's Kharg Island oil terminal, citing risks of high U.S. casualties: "They’ll be sitting ducks."

The White House has not confirmed these details, and Trump has previously dismissed similar reporting as inaccurate.

Public Opinion and Approval Ratings

A recent poll indicates declining approval for Trump, with a majority of respondents expressing strong opposition to further escalation into war with Iran. Specific figures link this sentiment to broader concerns over the conflict's trajectory.

Related Developments: Sanctions on Russian Oil

Democrats in Congress criticized the U.S. Treasury Department's decision to extend sanctions relief for Russian oil purchases, reversing an earlier stance announced by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. Sens. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Chuck Schumer (D-NY), and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) stated: "This decision is shameful and a 180-degree reversal. Make no mistake, Putin has been one of the biggest beneficiaries of President Trump’s war against Iran, as Russia saw oil revenues nearly double in March."

The senators highlighted a recent Russian aerial attack on Ukraine that killed 18 people, questioning the timing: "This week, Putin launched the largest aerial attack of the year so far on Ukraine... What kind of message does this move send?"

Energy Secretary Chris Wright defended the policy on CNN’s State of the Union, attributing it to requests from Group of 7 allies to stabilize energy prices. Wright explained: "We had bankers from around the world basically making pleas, hey, we want to keep energy prices down." He added: "All that Russian oil, it goes to China anyway. All we’re doing is temporary—allowing it to flow, instead of all to China, to flow into other Asian refineries. It’s to lower the price of energy in Asia and in Europe."

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky criticized the move on X, stating: "The continued easing of sanctions … fuels the Russian leadership’s illusion that they can continue the war. Every dollar paid for Russian oil is money for the war." He noted over 110 tankers from Russia’s shadow fleet carrying more than 12 million tons of oil, valued at approximately $10 billion.

Trump Criticizes NATO's Role

Trump has repeatedly questioned NATO allies' support during the Hormuz crisis. On Fox News last week, he said: "How can you have a country, how can you have a group of countries with that attitude? Look at Greenland. We should have Greenland to protect the world against Russia and China. This country should not be paying trillions of dollars to NATO."

An editor's note clarified that the U.S. does not contribute trillions of dollars directly to NATO.

Trump recounted a recent call from NATO offering assistance now that "the Hormuz Strait situation is almost over," telling the alliance at a Turning Point USA event: "I told them I would have liked your help two months ago, but now I really don’t want your help anymore. They were absolutely useless when we needed them."

Former NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg, now Norway’s finance minister, commented on Fox News: "If you want NATO to contribute, then at least you have to sit down with NATO allies, as you did after 9/11. You cannot expect us just to be there without any consultations, any discussions in NATO before you take the decision to launch the attack."

Daily Rundown

• Washington Examiner: Trump renews threat against Iranian power plants if Islamabad talks fail.
• Washington Examiner: U.S. captures Iranian-flagged cargo ship attempting to breach blockade.
• Washington Examiner: Iran restarts Hormuz restrictions amid frustration with U.S. public statements.
• Washington Examiner: Poll shows Trump's approval at new low amid opposition to Iran escalation.
• Washington Examiner: U.S.-led efforts aim to decouple Israel-Lebanon relations from Iranian influence.
• Washington Examiner: Trump engages reporters by phone, describes progress on Iran deal.
• Washington Examiner: Trump states Israel prohibited from striking Lebanon.
• Washington Examiner: Trump's European alliances shift as relations with Italy's Meloni cool and Hungary's Orban faces removal.
• Washington Examiner Opinion: Analysis questions Pete Hegseth's approach in Trump administration.
• Washington Examiner Opinion: Examination of Trump's Iran strategy.
• Washington Examiner: Patel highlights FBI achievements under Trump amid personal reports.
• Washington Examiner: Patel warns of potential legal action.

Good Monday morning and welcome to Jamie McIntyre’s Daily on Defense, written and compiled by Washington Examiner National Security Senior Writer Jamie McIntyre (@jamiejmcintyre) and edited by Christopher Tremoglie. Email tips, suggestions, calendar items, or other information. Sign up or access current and past issues at DailyonDefense.com.

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