President Donald Trump announced the seizure of the Iranian ship TOUSKA following a naval engagement in the Strait of Hormuz, citing violations of a ceasefire agreement.
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) April 19, 2026
Iran’s semi-official Mehr news says US forces opened fire on an Iranian merchant ship to force it back toward Iranian waters but withdrew after IRGC naval units intervened, apparently contradicting remarks by President Trump earlier about the seizure of an Iranian vessel.
— Iran International English (@IranIntl_En) April 19, 2026
Tensions in the Strait of Hormuz reached a boiling point this weekend as President Donald Trump announced the seizure of the Iranian-flagged ship TOUSKA. Following a failed attempt to breach a naval blockade, Trump revealed that the vessel was disabled after ignoring multiple warnings. “The Iranian crew refused to listen, so our Navy ship stopped them right in their tracks by blowing a hole in the engine room,” he stated on Truth Social, noting the ship’s “prior history of illegal activity.”
The incident coincides with reports from French shipping giant CMA CGM, which confirmed its fleet was targeted by Iranian “warning shots” on Saturday. Condemning the escalation, Trump declared, “Iran decided to fire bullets yesterday in the Strait of Hormuz — A Total Violation of our Ceasefire Agreement!” referencing attacks that also reportedly targeted British vessels.