Chabahar, Iran. U.S. forces boarded and seized the Iranian-flagged container ship Touska off Iran’s Chabahar port, with maritime security sources saying it likely carried items Washington deems dual-use.
Boarding and U.S. claims
The small container ship, part of the Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines (IRISL) group that has been hit with U.S. sanctions, was boarded on Sunday off the coast of Iran’s Chabahar port in the Gulf of Oman. Ship-tracking data on the Marine Traffic platform showed the vessel last reported its position at 1308 GMT.
The U.S. Central Command said Touska’s crew failed to comply with repeated warnings over a six-hour period and that the vessel was in violation of a U.S. blockade.
Assessment of cargo
Maritime security sources, who declined to be identified, said their initial assessments were that the vessel was likely to be carrying dual-use items after a voyage from Asia. One source said the vessel had previously transported items deemed dual-use.
The sources did not provide details on the items. U.S. Central Command has listed metals, pipes and electronic components among goods that could have military as well as industrial uses and could be captured.
Iran’s response
Iran’s foreign ministry said on Tuesday that U.S. forces attacked an Iranian commercial vessel, the Touska, near its coast, condemning the incident as unlawful and a violation of international law, Iranian media reported.
The ministry said Iran demanded the immediate release of the vessel, its sailors and their families, adding that the incident breached a ceasefire agreed this month and warning Washington would be responsible for any further escalation.
Iran’s military said the ship had been travelling from China and accused the United States of armed piracy, according to state media on Monday. It said it was ready to confront U.S. forces over what it called blatant aggression but was constrained by the presence of crew members’ families on board.
Sanctions background
Washington imposed sanctions on IRISL in late 2019, describing it as the preferred shipping line for Iranian proliferators and procurement agents, including transporting items intended for Iran’s ballistic missile programme.
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